Keen Faldo targets another shot as Ryder Cup captain

NICK FALDO is keen to again captain at the Ryder Cup despite coming under heavy criticism after leading Europe to their first defeat to the USA in nine years in September.

Europe lost by five points at Valhalla and Faldo was blamed for the defeat by some for a number of his decisions before and during the event.

Consequently, it is unlikely the 51-year-old will captain Europe at Celtic Manor in 2010 with the likes of Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam emerging as favourites to take the role.

But Faldo, who is playing in his first European Tour event in a year at the UBS Hong Kong Open this week, insisted he enjoyed the whole experience and would relish the opportunity to captain Europe again.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I loved the experience and I thought the team atmosphere was great. We all got on great and I loved that buzz.

“A month after, I thought ‘wow, I miss the guys’. I hadn’t been in that situation for 11 years since my last Ryder Cup.

“It is such a special event and if something happens further down the road, I will certainly think about it.”

Colin Montgomerie, who is also playing in Hong Kong this week, opposed the idea of Faldo returning and instead backed fellow Scot Lyle for the captaincy.

“I think it is a one-hit deal and I think it should remain that way,” he said.

“I have nothing against anyone trying to do it twice but I just think it should be a one-deal and that is your go.

“It would be a shame if Sandy (Lyle) did miss out. I would personally like to see him involved.”

Nick Faldo also heaped praise on Ulster teenage sensation Rory McIlroy, who is also contesting the UBS Hong Kong Open.

“Rory was just 11 when he first joined the Faldo Junior Series and while he had been playing for a while, I could see he was a very talented youngster,” said Faldo.

“I helped him quite a bit when I had Team Faldo, as I called it, and I remember we had a very good session together at Brocket Hall, and then in Ireland at Ballyliffin.

“Rory’s a very talented guy. He came straight out and I wasn’t surprised. He had some freedom to play at Carnoustie last year, and he obviously loved the weather. He was one of the few guys who put on a set of waterproofs and was quite comfortable. But guys like Rory and Ollie Fisher and of course, Nick Dougherty, they were different. They had more hand-eye coordination and had that look in their eye. That inner confidence is the most important thing.

“And when you see young fellows like Rory, Ollie Fisher and Nick Dougherty, who is still pretty young, you know the Tour is in good hands. There’s such a good breed of low-20s age-wise guys coming through.”

Joining McIlroy in Hong Kong is fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley and Ulster Tour rookie Gareth Maybin, who began the week as third reserve.

McDowell has spent the past week relaxing in Phukett and eager to build on his 16th place result in the 2009 season opening HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

“After such a long two weeks in Valderrama and Shanghai, I needed a week off and it was nice to spend it down in Phukett. I’m here this week and teaming up with Paul (McGinley) for the World Cup next week and then looking forward to winding down a little bit. This is a great golf course here in Hong Kong and it’s already firey and firm and you have to think your way around it, so it’s a real good old fashion test of golf. I’ve done well in Asia, winning earlier this year in Korea and I was sixth here last year so I have good hopes. This is my last world ranking event for the year and it would be nice to end on a high note.”