Nick Faldo showing signs of improvement

Nick Faldo described himself as "an old dog" - after one of his most encouraging rounds of the year.

Faldo's opening 68 in the Standard Life tournament at Loch Lomond may have left him six adrift of boy wonder Sergio Garcia, but in his first competitive round since missing the halfway cut at the US Open three weeks ago it was a distinct improvement.

If he cannot win on Saturday himself, Faldo would love the title to go to either Garcia or second-placed Jesper Parnevik.

That is because if either of them qualifies automatically for the Ryder Cup team next month the chances of Faldo being handed a wild card are increased.

"If they get in they might choose an old dog for experience and to keep them all in check," said Faldo, 42 on the day the Open finishes on Sunday week.

The most capped player in Ryder Cup history revealed that he had had "a mad overhaul" of his game in preparation for Carnoustie.

"I've been hitting 200-300 balls every day and concentrating hard on every one of them," said Faldo.

He viewed Garcia's 62 as "awesome", but added: "We had a muckier afternoon." While Garcia played in sunshine, Faldo endured heavy rain for most of his round.