Faldo: At fault for Europe's loss?
What did you make of Nick Faldo's captaincy of the European Ryder Cup side at Valhalla? It's Your View. < Back to Story
Faldo: At fault for Europe's loss?
What did you make of Nick Faldo's captaincy of the European Ryder Cup side at Valhalla? It's Your View. < Back to Story
Skysports.com takes a first-hand look around the Celtic Manor complex in pictures.
Pictures of Team Europe's individual players as selected by Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.
Pictures of Team USA's individual players as selected by Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.
As we countdown to the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, here's a look at the tournament's prestigious history.
Check out our gallery of European captain Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup career.
Pictures from USA's 16.5 -11.5 victory over Europe in the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla.
Pictures from the 2006 Ryder Cup held at The K Club in County Kildare, Ireland.
Tiger Woods won the US Open on one leg and, despite Poulter's best efforts, Europe fail in Valhalla.
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Comments (161)
Jack Carroll says...
No way was it Faldo's fault. He was getting slated before anyone even teed off! Press were slating him for picking Poulter (God knows why because there was only him Rose and McDowell who deserved to wear Europes colours.)
Posted 14:42 22nd September 2008
Fred Bridges says...
Well how can you possibly can it was Faldo's fault. He gave his heart for this and wanted it as much an anyone did. He didn't make mistakes, overall the Europe TEAM was beaten by and inspired USA team. Eurpe was a TEAM and the whole team got defeated not Faldo. Every player has said it was mainly the players fault, they didn't play as good golf as the American's did. Faldo did a great job but the USA played some great golf.
Posted 14:39 22nd September 2008
Mark Fisher says...
Pretty harsh to blame Faldo. He made a contentious pick in Poulter and he end as top point scorer on either side. The Europeans lost for the simple reason that the top 3 European players failed to collect enough points. Unfortunately Garcia, Westwood and Harrington (for the 2nd Ryder Cup running) didn't really bring their top game, that was ultimately the difference.
Posted 14:39 22nd September 2008
Paul Baker says...
It's ridiculous to even suggest that Nick Faldo was to blame for the Ryder Cup loss. His wildcards did their jobs admirably. The system of selection is in need of change, 8 to play their way in, and then 4 picks would present a far stronger team in my opinion. Azinger definately had the advantage with the Americans using this system. The Europeans are naturally closer-knit as a team, and should not need a lot of motivating. If they do then they shouldn't be playing. It's some of the so called 'bigger' more experienced names in the team that need to stand up and be counted as the reason for the loss.
Posted 14:38 22nd September 2008
Rob Chaplin says...
Very simply...the big boys were too full of it!!! As a long-standing fan of Garcia I was terribly disappointed in his petulism! You expect that from a 5 year old kid, not an iconic golfer. And where was his fightback? He has always said he has big ones, but when it counted they were not there! If 12 hungry Europeans had arrived on the morning the resultt would have been different! Well done Poulter!
Posted 14:38 22nd September 2008
Stephen Orr says...
Nick Faldo is to blame and for one good reason, he is not a team player, he's always been a loner and that imposed itself in the European Teams mentality. The US played as a team for a change and had great esprit de coeur - this is what defeated Europe. I firmly believe if Colin Montgomery and Darren Clarke had been playing then the result would have been different.
Posted 14:37 22nd September 2008
Jon Diffey says...
You can't blame Faldo! You only have to look at the fact that between our 'big three', Harrington, Westwood and Garcia, they didn't manage a win between them. The singles line up is always a lottery, maybe putting out the stronger players first could have made a difference but the way some of those players played during the week I doubt that. But what a weekend of golf it was.
Posted 14:31 22nd September 2008
Steve C says...
I'm on the fence with the Faldo situation - I think as a strategist he can't be faulted - hence the Poulter/McDowell picks - I think he was let down by his guns failing to fire or even appear motivated - so maybe that's his down fall - his failure to lead and motivate and get the best out of the players - Azinger did this, as on paper Europe were much stronger
Posted 14:30 22nd September 2008
Kathleen Shorey says...
It was not Faldo's fault. He was let down by Harrington,Westwood and Garcia (unwell so perhaps not his fault) let Faldo and the team down. It seems to me that that Harrington and Westwood were so annoyed that Clark was not there there, that they were not committed enough, and as for estwoods comments about the USA supporters, why did no other player complain. Our media wanted faldo to screw up and we are being poor sports, USA were the better team, cos they got rid of the oldies and gave youth a chance, something we never do in this country, be it football or golf.
Posted 14:29 22nd September 2008
Marc Couttie says...
100 % Faldo's fault. Azinger said that the losing team always has to change it up . . . True. So why did Faldo decide to drop put big guns like Clarke and Monty ( although fair play to Poulter, who should have earned his spot in the first place) whom had the winning formula and team mentality that had brought us great success in preious years. It was a purely selfish egotistical attempt by Faldo bringing no extra help, playing his big guns last when we were losing, resting Westwood when he was on form and eager to play. Sorry Nick truly truly blew it!
Posted 14:28 22nd September 2008
Steven Cafferty says...
To be beaten by an american team including 4,5 or 6 rookies, is not only shocking, but embarrasing. Faldo is the most arrogant person i have ever heard of. believing that he could win on a backroom staff of just one, is silly. He left westwood out because he wanted to look good by giving the rookies the chance to win and do well. but you need experience. i hope faldo gets a lot of criticism when he gets home, he deserves it. he should have kept the same teams throughout. imagine tiger was playing, oh the shame.
Posted 14:28 22nd September 2008
James Woodward says...
In reply to Mark Hawes' comments... How can you moan about Faldo's picks when Poulter was one of the few bright points of the European side? The big guns generally were well below their best giving the team little chance. At the end of the day the USA were better this time around... and I think the main reason we lost was because of the fatigue of Harrington, and the off-colour performances of our best players. Garcia's body language said it all... he'd lost the match before the second hole. I'm not critisising the players; just saying it like it is... we can't win em all!
Posted 14:28 22nd September 2008
Peter Walters says...
Lets get it right, over 3 days and 28 matches, we were out played, who was to blame, why should we blame anyone, why not give credit to the US team, the golf from both teams was at times exceptional. When Faldo picked Poulter and Casey he got slated, yet Poulter was our most consistent player, Casey did no better or worse than some of our big guns. It seems to me that a lot of people were out to get Faldo from day one and because of this I feel that the fantastic golf that was played over 3 days is being lost. Don't get me wrong, I sat in front of the TV and moaned and groaned about the US fans, the attitude of some of the US players, but not only were the whole of the USA up for the challenge, they brought their A game with them. Did everyone watch the same performances I did, Oliver Wilson was at one point - 4 but 3 down, Bo Weekly shot 29 on the front 9, the golf was amazing. So come on, we got beat fair and square, sticks in my throat, but credit where credit is due.
Posted 14:21 22nd September 2008
Mark Ronson says...
It was all Faldo's fault. He is the worst captain i have ever seen. I hope he never gets this priviledge ever again. I wouldnt even have him coach my children for free!!!
Posted 14:19 22nd September 2008
Phillip Laing says...
Typical media, waiting & hoping for one of our greats to fall. Faldo could not have done much more. His picks did well, but the European Big Guns didn't fire. Westwood had an excuse with his illness, but Garcia, and Harrington in particular didn't pull their weight! The Yanks just holed more putts than the Europeans. Just gutted to see a bloke called Boo, win. I mean what a joke, and he should be ashamed of his antics!
Posted 14:13 22nd September 2008
Keith Summerson says...
A fantastic three days of golf with a disappointing outcome. But I don't believe that any blame should be leveled at the captain... for sure I do believe that faldo lacks charisma but I don't think that anyone can comment on his man management skills exept those in the team. The think the outcome of ryder cup was sealed in that first pairing on the final day with Kim grabbing the bull by the horns and playing fantastic golf, there is no need for post mortems as to the outcome of the ryder cup, the americans simply played better golf and there is no shame in giving them credit for that.
Posted 14:12 22nd September 2008
Maria Hogan says...
Ok first of all, of course Faldo is NOT to blame.I mean seriously, lets face facts here folks. We were beaten by the better team - simple as that. How can Faldo be blamed for the absolutely tremendoues putts being holed all over the course by the Yanks! There isnt a player on either side of the continent that would hole Mahans putt again. Regardless of how Nick Faldo is as an individual, he was visibly supporting his team as much as he could. And as much as we all cant stand the Yanks, we have to give credit where its due......
Posted 14:09 22nd September 2008
Dave Gile says...
I have great respect for Faldo for his achievements but this is not one of them I think everyone is missing the point ! Faldo did not lead his team into battle from the start his opening speech was a embarrassment and having very little or no vice captains was a terrible blunder it looked like even DJ Spooney was called in to give a hand ?Instead of rallying the troops when things were not going our way most of the time Faldo was not to be seen. If this was a Premiership football match would people blame the players or the Manager ?
Posted 14:07 22nd September 2008
Allan Edwards says...
Faldo, as captain, is an easy scapegoat, but he has been let down by some of his more experienced players. The points return of Harrington/Garcia/Westwood is way below expectation, while some of the lesser experienced have actually contributed well - Poulter obviously, but also McDowell and the relatively inexperienced Karlsson. We also went into the tournament without an injured Luke Donald, who would have been an asset to the team. As for the line up of the singles, it's very difficult to second guess your opposing captain's line-up. If Casey/Hansen/Jimenez could have won and inspired the lower order, Faldo would be getting rave reviews for masterminding a superb European comeback. Such are the margins. One final point - I find it amazing that Harrington is citing "fatigue" after a long hard summer. Has he played more tournaments than anyone else or something? If you check his record, he plays less tournaments than many of his Ryder Cup peers. He certainly wasn't fatigued a few weeks ago when he won his couple of majors! If he was so fatigued before the Ryder Cup then he should have withdrawn and allowed a fresher player to compete. Half a point is a poor return from arguably the current world's best. Faldo cannot be held responsible for that!
Posted 14:06 22nd September 2008
Mark Johnson says...
You can't blame Nick for this one. He had his team in position to win, but the guys didn't execute. When Westwood, Garcia and Harrington can't win a match between, I don't think any captain could have retained the cup.
Posted 14:06 22nd September 2008