Justin Rose and Padraig Harrington hit back on Tuesday at suggestions from six-times major winner Nick Faldo that under-performing Europeans were too nice to become winners on the biggest stage.
The last European to claim one of golf's four majors was Briton Paul Lawrie, who won the last time the British Open was staged on the Carnoustie links eight years ago.
Faldo told reporters on Tuesday he thought the modern crop of young British and European talent lacked the ruthlessness of his generation.
"Look back at Seve, myself, (Bernhard) Langer, Woosie (Ian Woosnam), Sandy Lyle and (Jose Maria) Olazabal," said Faldo. "None of us went round together, we all kept our cards close to our chests.
"There was a genuine competitive barrier between us all. We told people 'Sod off, we're going to play golf'.
"It is interesting to me that now they are all so much more chummy. Is that healthy? I don't know, I'm just posing the question but the bottom line is the six players I've mentioned won 18 majors and on the other side you have none."
Rose, 26, is seen by many as a possible successor to Faldo as a regular British major winner. He is also one of the more amiable characters in the game and respected for the phlegmatic way he handled the early months of struggle in his career.
"I think it is a huge asset of the European Tour and the European players that there are some very good friendships out there," said Rose, who finished in the top 10 at the 2007 U.S. Masters and U.S. Open.
"I think we're all pushing ourselves and we're all aware of the fact a major victory is due. I don't think there's any complacency at all."
His stance was echoed by Irishman Padraig Harrington, 35, rated fourth favourite this week by local bookmakers.
"We all have our way of going about things but I don't believe any of the players, just because they're nice guys, can't win a major," he said.
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