Little logic behind Faldo’s thinking

AT least some of the speculation concerning foursomes and fourball pairings will end today when Europe’s first Ryder Cup practice rounds take place over the Jack Nicklaus designed Valhalla course in Louisville, Kentucky, (8am local, 1pm Irish).

As Nick Faldo seems to have put little thought into the couplings and the implications of not having compatible partnerships when choosing his ‘wild card’ picks, it appears he has given himself an unnecessary headache. It is difficult to understand why the team departed London yesterday with the picture still more than a little vague. Even Faldo’s senior players, including three times Major champion Pádraig Harrington, doesn’t know who they will play with.

He has expressed a preference for partnering either of the Swedes, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, and makes no secret of his liking for Miguel-Angel Jimenez, the man with whom he played in his debut year of 1999 at the Country Club, Brookline.