Faldo: gave it his all
Ewen Murray celebrates a fine Ryder Cup and examines why Nick Faldo found captaincy so tough. < Back to Story
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Comments (61)
Mark Armstrong says...
An excellent objective piece depite your closeness to many of the situations that arose during the last month. The week was a fantastic golfing accolade with an obvious tinge of disppointment at the end.
Posted 10:34 24th September 2008
Matt Rose says...
Hi Ewen, Great column as usual. The Ryder Cup now is such a global event that in picking a Captain the whole PR and Communication aspect needs to be seriously considered as well as the obvious areas like the two wildcard picks and forming a team. Reading Sam Torrance's view of his captaincy in 2002 he placed so much emphasis on the build up to the event and dealing with the media that he actually looked upon it as his way of "beating" the opposing Captain before the event even started. Here is where Faldo failed. In the lead up to the event you could only think that Azinger had the upper hand with his dealings with the media and if you then throw in the awful opening ceremony speech by Faldo I worked on the basis that the USA were already 1 point up. For 2010 we need a Captain with charisma, personality perhaps even downright passion and although talk of Sandy Lyle has subsided in recent weeks i think if this was to happen we would go down the same rocky road as we did with Faldo. It has to be Woosnam in 2010 and when we tee off in the first day's matches I know for one we would be 1 point up already ! Come on 2010 !!
Posted 10:14 24th September 2008
Anthony Taylor says...
Another well written article Ewen.....thought you got it pretty much spot on. I would also like to thank Sky Sports for a fantastic coverage to. One thing I would like to say in Nick's defense is that most of the fourball and foursome matches swung backwards and forwards over the first two days and could have gone either way. One minute it would be blue on the board the next red, Nick can¿t be blamed for that, and it wasn¿t much different in a lot of the singles either. The golf was fantastic but over the last few cups we've got so used to the Europeans chipping in or sinking a long putt at a crucial time that we expect it to happen every time. This time it was the Americans who got the big momentum swinging putts or chip in's. All in all apart from the result for us it was a brilliant weekend and golf is a winner for it, and if I'm honest we needed the Americans to win for the sake of the competition. I would like to finish by saying I for one would have no problems with Nick being captain again.....he's an absolute legend.
Posted 10:09 24th September 2008
Michael Jones says...
To the people who are have been giving Faldo huge criticism you are idiots. It¿s the golfers that win the cup & simply put our 'big 3' didn't perform & The US team did, end of story. Westwood needs to learn to putt, Garcia rolled over and surrended and Harrington should not have played. I wish I was 'fatigued' as him. Try doing an office job for 50 hours a week for a fraction of the money, raising a family and playing golf at the weekend....that¿s fatigued! I don't blame Faldo for living in America when the press here have gone after him in such a despicable manner. Does no one realise the first 4 players he sent out on Sunday are in the worlds top 30?! That is top loading in my book & if Garcia had stood toe to toe with Kim it would have been a very different story. As Ewen and the more intelligent have already stated the US won the cup because they played better golf.
Posted 10:08 24th September 2008
Derek Field says...
Another great column Ewan, I think you have the best job in the world, where do I send my CV? (joking) Another great Ryder Cup, on reflection its good for different sides to win from time to time as interest will be lost if the same side wins all the time. Faldos captaincy will not be remembered as one of his greatest achievements, he had close to two years to prepare his speeches so a script writer, as someone else suggested, would have been a good idea, but there we are, not all bad, just don't call us Nick, we will call you! I thought Tony Jacklin added to the commentary team, did anyone count how many times he said "when I was captain" overall he offered some interesting insights, actually a lot better than Peter Ousterhuis(?). When you look at some of the youngster who didn't quite make the team and others up and coming we have incredible potential in two years we just need to select a great captain and help him with some sound advice on demeanor and speeches, hope I can afford HD by then.
Posted 10:03 24th September 2008
Reuben Keogh says...
Ewan, I read your column with interest every week. Nick Faldo is a hero of mine but he let me down last weekend. His interviews were poor, full of waffle. I agree with some people who said that he used the captaincy as an ego trip. The pairings he chose seemed a bit random. It looked like he didn't spend enough time around the European Tour to gauge who was in form and which players might make good partners. With the bulk of his time spend on the PGA Tour, he would have been in a better position to captain the American side! Another factor for the European side may have been the problem of having Sergio and Padraig in the same hotel, Sergio's near misses at the hands of Padraig are maybe a bigger story in golf than the cup. Brand Faldo has taken a body blow, I wish him a full and speedy recovery, heroes are in very short supply these days.
Posted 09:54 24th September 2008
David Shaylor says...
i couldnt agree more about nick faldo's opening speech in particular. i cringed and nearly switched off as he went on and on about his family and how his son had his looks. it seemed to go on for an eternity. i wonder how the european tour took to this speech, i for one thought it was pathetic. paul azinger was magnificent in all that he did. faldo for many years has some view of himself that he is a comedian, noone laughs. i recall when he won the one of his british opens and as usual the speech was all about him and ignored paying tributes to those who challenged. i hate bad winners and he is one of the worst. i can only criticise the european tour for appointing a loner as a team captain, whose self centered manner is and always will be huge weakness in his make up. for me, great golfers also command integrity and humbleness. quite frankly faldo comes way short as a person. perhaps his three previous marriages say it all!!!!! to without doubt britain's greatest golfer and easily the most detested!!!!
Posted 09:20 24th September 2008
Tony Parsons says...
The initial responses to your article are most favourable, except for the character who thinks the R & A has something to do with the Ryder Cup and also thinks 'Monty' should be Captain for the next 10 years, which is completely absurd. Its noticeable that so far most of the detractors before the event are hiding away and after voicing ill-informed and offensive opinions on such things as Poulter's selection and Nick Faldo's personal qualities they must feel pretty 'crappy' in the Club Bar trying to find other excuses NOW. Well done, Ewen. I will await your follow up to this 'Blog' with great anticipation
Posted 09:07 24th September 2008
Darren Crabb says...
Excellent Piece. Great Hunters, Hunt Alone...!!!!
Posted 09:03 24th September 2008
Ian Smith says...
Great column Ewen! Agree totally with you on the standard of the golf - outstanding stuff by both sides - put simply, they out-putted us! I think its kind of payback as, lets not forget, we've given them a preverbial kicking on the greens in the last 2 or 3 contests. However, as far as our lot are concerned I dont think we need to hit the panic button regarding selection processes and so-on. When you evaluate those who managed to drag us so close to them halfway through Sundays singles, it was'nt our seasoned campaigners but rather those with less experience and rookies. With this in mind, surely the likes of Casey, Westwood, Harrington and Garcia could not play as badly as they did over these matches in 2 years time?? As you point out, I thought Westwood played ok but the putts would'nt drop, Harrington looked like a ghost for most of the week, Casey was out of sorts and as for Garcia well, he was just awful! I think this was best summed up by his fat, half-shanked 80 yard sand wedge into a hole late on Friday afternoons fourballs. His slumped shoulders and sullen expression on Sunday against Kim was completely uninspiring - he was given the "Monty" role of setting out our stall first up....and he let himself down with his play and general demeanour. He'll be back though! As for Faldo, I cant level much criticism at him other than the fact that, as you say, he's not much of a team player. I think a Seve/Torrance/Woosie figure would've cajouled something from that middle order of ours on Sunday afternoon. As for his tactics there can be little finger-pointing. His omission of Garcia and Westwood on Saturday morning was fine as we won the session well. Poulter was a revelation. And had we just managed past the Furyk/Jiminez match surely our lower order would've seen us through with the match still alive?? Bring on Celtic Manor!!
Posted 08:42 24th September 2008
Jon Gardner says...
Perfect! Your article is spot on. Faldo is a golfing legend in his own right, but not really a team player. It's what made him great. He had to be selfish to achieve what he did. That said I don¿t think his captaincy affected the overall result. Europe lost because the USA played better golf over the 3 days. Best golf I have seen on TV since the last Ryder Cup! Roll on Celtic manor! Cheers Jon
Posted 08:20 24th September 2008
Jay Paul says...
I think Nick Faldo should be the captain in 2010. I do think he should of chosen Clarke over Casey, but it was his decision. He has spoken the truth on how the Ryder Cup panned out. Let's give him a break and give the yanks credit. They played a little better than us, which was amazing.
Posted 00:38 24th September 2008
Liam Mcdougall says...
I think this piece is one of the best i have came accross in along while well said Mr Murray.
Posted 23:00 23rd September 2008
Derek Pearce says...
Hi Ewan - Nice to see that you didn't jump on the bandwagon of castigating Nick Faldo but I really think you got it wrong about Faldo not being able to be part of a team. You can't compare Faldo to Woods in respect of the Ryder Cup as Faldo's cup record is second to none. Also it was interesting to note in the post match interview, Faldo was prepared to take the heat alone but his players leapt to his defence with some intensity. Sign of a tem in my eyes.
Posted 21:48 23rd September 2008
Colin Macrae says...
Excellent comments Ewen. I think the criticism of Faldo is way over the top, he is a proven winner and justified choice as Captain. I think his choices were based on sound thinking - if we had been close at the end the last 3 or 4 games would have been much different. I for one would like to see some consistency as Ryder Cup Captain. Lets choose 1 guy for 3 or 4 cups and stick with him. Let him choose vice captains as it suites as form or history dictates, but lets give someone the chance to really learn the detail and leadership qualities it takes over a period of time . Otherwise it's always a lottery of form, on the day performances and lucky choices. The R&A need to show some confidence in 1 leader rather than who is the popular choice. Mine is simple - Monty for the next 10 years. He was sorely missed this time, I'd never leave him out of a team either as a player or a manager.
Posted 21:45 23rd September 2008
Hamish Patullo says...
In reflection on the ryder cup after watching every shot hit over the three days I would suggest that America won the Ryder Cup because of two key points. Firstly desire, this was a nation of professional golfers that came together with a hugh hunger to win back the trophy that they dominated for so many years. Make no mistake about this Phil Mickelson saying that there was no pressure on America and Paul Azinger talking down their chances was only said to further fuel the American team effort, which worked to great effect. Secondly the individual nature of Nick Faldo. I agree with Ewen that Faldo is a terrific golfer but perhaps to much of a individual golfer for too many years to captain a team to glory. This I beleive is why Monty and more so Darren Clarke were left out of the team. Faldo picked a player in Polter that is a individual player, that does not play on the European tour week in week out and like Faldo in many ways. The above mentioned Clarke may have brought an attitude to the Ryder Cup that Faldo would feel as out with his comfort zone. All in all the Ryder Cup was a resounding sucess and the competition will be stronger in Wales in 2010 as Europe will no doubt have the desire to reclaim the Ryder Cup back and I for one beleive this will happen!
Posted 21:37 23rd September 2008
Stuart Rowley says...
Excellent summary of the weekends events Ewan,sadly America played the better golf over the weekend and deserved their win.I dont believe Nick Faldo could have done anything different that would have made a difference to the result.The biggest disappointment for me were the performances of Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia,had they been on the top of their game the result may have been different.
Posted 21:27 23rd September 2008
J Farrar says...
Nick has been a good captain, far and away better than Mark James. It was an inspired choice to pick Ian Poulter, the score would have been much worse without him and Faldo would have been vilified. Faldo is not the greatest at expressing himself and why should he be he is a golfer after all. Perhaps he should have used a speach writer like Ian Woosam did. However his main sentiments were respect for the opposition, respect for his players and a great respect for golf and the Ryder Cup. What more do you want in a captain.
Posted 21:05 23rd September 2008
Alan Houston says...
Hi Euan , great column as usual , I think that at the end of the day its the players who failed to bring the cup home. We all have to say the USA played the better golf and deserved to win, i think Faldo should have had another vice captain to assist him he looked a wee boy lost at times. Garcia , Harrington and Westwood to a lesser degree failed to produce their best. Poulter was Karlsson were the best euros by far , better luck hopefully in 2 years time
Posted 20:40 23rd September 2008
Tony Norstrom says...
Ewen, I'm a big fan of your articles; you invariably hit the nail on the head and so it is telling that you have not dwelled on the Faldo's apparent "failures". The unwritten word is often more powerful, are we to assume that you conclude that Faldo's Captaincy was a failure? There was always going to be one winner and one loser regardless of who captained - there¿s a case to be argued that Faldo was a stunning success. Poulter was magnificent and not just for the quality of his golf. The way he stuck out his chest and took the challenge to the opposition was fantastic ¿ But for Faldo we would have been denied this drama. Leaving out Westwood and Garcia in Saturdays Foursomes was another bold decision that was ultimately proved to be correct - Faldo's other players stepped up to the plate and the results vindicated the decision. Even Azinger admitted it was difficult to play someone in all 5 matches. Hindsight is 50/50 as they say, however even with this benefit you cannot conclude that the singles line up was poor. Europe had to win the majority of the matches which meant in all probability they had to win games at the front, in the middle and at the end of the line up. Garcia, Westwood and Harrington were poor all weekend. It is entirely possible that they would have lost wherever they played. The line up was good enough for Tony Jacklin. Whilst there were too many "I¿s" in Faldo's manner for some peoples liking, it¿s equally true that he commanded ultimate respect of the players, the preparation appeared to be meticulous and the golf was fantastic. Faldo's manner did not detract from the event and some may say even added to the drama. It should also be remembered that Faldo did not resort to encouraging fans to cheer "missed putts" and was unreservedly gracious in defeat. Europe may have lost the Cup but it sure felt like we won.
Posted 19:51 23rd September 2008