Nick Faldo (AFP)
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo dismissed criticism Tuesday that he "is not a team player", insisting that three decades of experience leave him more than qualified for the job.
The Englishman, speaking here ahead of this week's UBS Hong Kong Open, was reacting to recent comments by Bernard Gallacher that he only picked Faldo in previous Ryder Cups because "he gave you points."
"Do I look bothered?" said a typically robust Faldo, when asked for his response to former captain Gallacher's remarks.
"It's a difficult one (to take) when you have the leading number of points (as a Ryder Cup player)," said Faldo, alluding to his playing record in the bi-annual contest with the United States.
"And I think I'm tied with (Bernard) Langer on the team number of points."
The 50-year-old, who took 25 points from 46 Ryder matches in 11 playing appearances, will lead the European side at next year's competition at Valhalla Golf Club, in Kentucky.
His role as captain has been under scrutiny recently, following a reported spat with Scotland's Colin Montgomerie following a team get together in Ireland at the Seve Trophy, which prompted Gallacher's comments.
"I never really felt Nick was a team player, but I accepted him as a captain because he gave you points," Gallacher, winning captain of the 1995 Ryder Cup side, said last month.
Faldo appeared ready to go further before bringing Tuesday's press conference to a sudden halt. "In my book ... well I'll stop there," a clearly irritated Faldo said.
The six-time major winner will make a rare playing appearance at the Hong Kong Golf Club this week, but he was realistic about his prospects in the 2.25 million US dollar tournament.
"I'll be excited to hit two straight shots on the trot," said Faldo, who now works primarily as a golf pundit for US television and in course design.
Ten months out from the 2008 showdown, however, he said he was relishing the contest.
"It all comes down to September when I have to make my two (captain's) picks. That's when my 30 years of Ryder Cup experience will come in," he said.
© 2007 AFP/sid
