Faldo's fledglings
Last updated: 8th February 2008
Harrington on Golf Night
There is nothing better than an experienced guy bringing a rookie along because the rookie tends to play above himself if he has got the right partner.
Padraig Harrington.
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Padraig Harrington thinks there could be as many six rookies in the European team that defends the Ryder Cup in Valhalla in September.
Speaking to Golf Night the veteran of four Ryder Cups and the current Open Champion said that some of the more familiar names of bygone Ryder Cups may begin to disappear as a crop of young Europeans, hungry for a taste of Ryder Cup action, force their way into captain Nick Faldo's team.
"Some of the household names, some of the more experienced players are maybe just drifting out of a bit of form and there are new guys coming in," Harrington said.
"We really are seeing a new breed of young European pros and that means the team is going to change and I think Nick is possibly going to have a team that is half-and-half, six new rookies and six more established players."
Far from seeing such a situation weakening Faldo's team for Valhalla, Harrington says Europe might be stronger for the new blood because, in his experience, he says that the younger players frequently rise to the occasion in the Ryder Cup.
He said: "Europe's strength has always been the ability of the experienced players to get the most out of the rookies.
"Sometimes the combination is better than the individuals and the combination adds a spark. There is nothing better than an experienced guy bringing a rookie along because the rookie tends to play above himself if he has got the right partner.
"It could make a stronger team. All teams have to move on and progress and maybe ours is a team that is in transition."
The Americans, who have lost five of the last six events, have changed the selection criteria for this year's event with captain Paul Azinger's wildcard picks raised from two to four, but Harrington doesn't want Europe to follow suit, saying the current rules means the best teams is picked.
He said: "You should have the best players out there on the team and the guys who qualify, whether they are rookies or not, are the best players.
"I think our system is very strong; I think it gives a fair chance to everybody."
Of course with those criteria it means that Harrington himself might be relying on one of two picks by captain Faldo but he is planning on clinching his own berth long before the wildcards are decided.
"My attitude to making the team is to try and make it as early on as possible so that you are not thinking about not making the team in the last few months.
"If you have qualified for the team by July, then you get to enjoying watching everyone else sweating over qualifying for the team.
"I would rather that Nick doesn't have to make that choice, I am going to try to make it on merit and leave it at that."
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