Nick Faldo needed just one word to describe an ill-fated season which has
seen him disappearing off the face of the world rankings. "Lousy,"
he said.
But Britain's greatest
golfer is willing to talk longer and louder to ensure Europe's top players
enjoy a better experience.
Record-breaker Faldo
hid his disappointment at missing out on a 12th successive Ryder Cup with
a pledge to help Europe at Brookline later this month.
The 42-year-old accepts
he did nothing to warrant a place in Mark James's side, but still wants
to help the cause by talking to the seven rookies who will face America
on the outskirts of Boston.
"I don't want
to tread on any toes, but there are a few tips I could give our team, especially
the newcomers," said Faldo as he headed towards Canada and a five-week
slog on the US Tour. "I'll get in touch with them to see if I can
help or answer any questions they may have."
Faldo, who plans to
watch all the action from the biennial match he will miss for the first
time since 1977, knows Europe will need every bit of assistance they can
get if they are to complete a hat-trick of triumphs against an American
side whose only rookie is world No2 David Duval.
"The Americans
always look strong on paper and it's been like that for the last few times,
but we've still won," said Faldo.
"We must go there
with the attitude that we have all to gain and nothing to lose. They still
have to win it, so we must turn the pressure on them."
With Duval the only
American debutant and a total of 11 Ryder Cups between the entire European
team, Faldo believes James's big four must dominate their leading quartet.
"In the old days
we had two pairs who were basically unbeatable. There was Seve and Olly,
then we always found another one," he said.
"We've got to
have that again or it's going to be a long road."
Faldo has no hesitation
naming 19-year-old Sergio Garcia as one of those who must lead the European
cause, but warns of potential burnout for all those who may have to play
five matches.
"The Americans
are lucky in that they can always rest somebody without really weakening
the team," he said.
Faldo added: "Lee Westwood and I got caught out on the Saturday afternoon at Valderrama.
"We had a 30-minute
break after the morning match and then had to face two fresh guys when
we were basically shot."
Faldo still hurts
from being told by James he had little chance of being a captain's choice
even if he had won the final qualifying event in Germany.
"That really
bowled me over, it was a killer blow," he said.
But Faldo intends
being there on merit next time. He has no intention of giving up, even
though the only direction his career has headed for more than two years
is down.
"It's amazing
how many little things are out of whack with my game," he said. "I'm
going to have to have a major rebuild, but I'll keep plugging away."
It is a philosophy
he feels the Europeans will have to adapt to prevent America reclaiming
Sam Ryder's golden pot - or risk the plug being pulled.
