Graeme McDowell says Nick Faldo is a changed man as he starts to guide his Ryder Cup team in Valhalla.
McDowell and Casey say Faldo a changed man as he leads Europeans
European Ryder Cup rookie Graeme McDowell says captain Nick Faldo has shrugged off the 'loner' tag he attracted as a player to help guide his team to victory in Kentucky.
McDowell was not around when Faldo was plying his trade and collecting six majors - with it well known that he kept himself to himself as he concentrated on success.
Now in charge of the European Ryder Cup team though, Faldo has changed his demeanour and is freely offering his considerable wisdom to his players, while keen to involve the entire party in discussions.
McDowell says that all the team were eager to sit down in their first team meeting in America to listen to what pearls of wisdom Faldo would come out with.
"I didn't know Nick in his playing career, I only go off of what people say," McDowell said.
Approachable
"He was a bit of a closed book, a bit unapproachable from that point of view. He didn't really give much of his own experiences.
"But we all go into the team room and we're kind of on the edge of our seat a little bit because we are waiting for the next nugget of wisdom that's going to come out of his mouth.
"He was one of my heroes, six-time major champion, and he's got a lot to give."
According to Northern Irishman McDowell, Faldo has been thinking long and hard about what to say to his troops, with his speeches well prepared in advance.
"He's got a lot of stuff in his head and he's been thinking about it long and hard and has had a lot of time to digest this golf course and think about his pairings, think about his team.
"We get into the team room and his speeches are pretty calculated. He's thought long and hard about things. He's got a lot of great stuff to offer us.
"He's really involving everyone, caddies, wives, partners, the whole team, everybody is involved.
"Everyone is a part of this whole experience and he's very open to any feedback. He really listens to what we've got to say and you really digest the information. I think he's very cool, calm and calculated this week."
Advice
Faldo will be Paul Casey's third captain after the Englishman played in the last two record wins for Europe - and he too says Faldo has definitely changed since becoming captain.
"I've seen a side of Nick I've never seen before because I've never really been able to get that close to him and pick his brains," said Casey.
"And you're not really needing to this week, because he's just pouring it out there. He's pouring out all of the ideas, all the stuff he's stored up during the years and now he's trying to pour it out there to get every ounce out of us to perform well.
"I think he's been a great captain so far."
Both Casey and McDowell are contenders to partner triple major winner Padraig Harrington - although that spot is a popular one amongst the rest of the team.
"I think guys are trying to get close to Padraig this week and I'm certainly no different," McDowell added.
"What the guy has done the last three or four months, or the last 15, 16 months, winning three majors, he's probably the best player in the world right now.
"Having him on our side is huge. He's certainly strengthened the whole team.
He's bringing a whole new level to our team. What he's done is phenomenal.
"I think there's no doubt guys are keeping an eye on him this week trying to watch what he does and how he takes the golf course apart."
