Faldo's fitness plan

Faldo: Fitness regime

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Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo has urged any European hopefuls to take up his invitation for a thorough fitness examination before the tournament.

The top 20 players in the Ryder Cup points standings will be invited for tests during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next month.

One of Britain's best medical facilities will be used to examine the fitness of all the golfers hoping to be in the Ryder Cup side in Valhalla in September.

Faldo himself has already taken part in the five-hour testing, and has urged his team to all go along for the tests - saying it could be a crucial advantage.

"The range of tests, screening and analyses which I went through was, to use a phrase, 'the appliance of science' as it relates to golf," said Faldo.

"It can be informative to all the guys who have a chance of making the team. It can offer clues to their levels of fitness and health in the months building up to the Ryder Cup."

Fitness

"From my own point of view I like to know what condition I'm in and it's a pleasant feeling when the doc says 'you're in great shape'.

"You are only as strong as your weakest point and such is the workload in the Ryder Cup that fatigue can easily kick in."

Faldo says that the rigorous testing procedures could point out some floors in technique which could prove a vital difference when it matters.

"These guys all perform at the highest level and want to improve," Faldo added.

"In terms of their fitness, their exercise regime, their diet, their bio-mechanical condition - going through this process can identify areas of weakness which might need improving.

"One tiny change could make a world of difference under the cosh at Valhalla."

Evaluation

Faldo hopes as many of his Ryder Cup hopefuls as possible take the time to go under the testing schedule, as he believes it will benefit even those who do not make the final cut for the European team.

"I would strongly encourage the guys to accept the invitation to go through the screening process.

"Even if they don't qualify for the team or get one of my wild cards they will certainly benefit from the fitness evaluation."

The planned examinations come through an arrangement between Ryder Cup Europe and Surrey-based Sports Orthopaedics Spinal Ltd and was instigated by the company's clinical director Jonathan Shrewsbury, who worked closely with four European Ryder Cup Teams between 1993 and 1999 as part of the European Tour's physiotherapy team.