Torrance questions Faldo

2008-09-02 16:24

London - Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance on Tuesday questioned the judgement of skipper Nick Faldo by picking Ian Poulter over Darren Clarke for this month's clash against the US.

Faldo opted for Poulter, runner-up in The Open at Royal Birkdale, and fellow Englishman Paul Casey instead of Ulsterman Clarke as his two wild card choices for Europe's defence of the trophy in Kentucky.

"For me it was always Casey and Clarke I would have gone for, although I can understand Poulter made it a very difficult choice for Nick," said the Scot, who captained Europe to 2002 Ryder Cup success, having holed the winning putt in 1985.

"He saw some great golf from Poulter on the final day of the Open. It was a great performance by Ian who could easily have won it.

"But I think Ian made an error by not playing at Gleneagles (where he could have earned an automatic Ryder Cup place in last week's Johnnie Walker Championship). He would have got a yellow card from me over that."

Torrance also expected the hugely experienced Colin Montgomerie to be brought on board as a second vice-captain alongside Jose Maria Olazabal, having failed to qualify by right for the team or earn a captain's pick.

Very relaxed as a player

There has been some suggestion that Poulter and Montgomerie do not get on, which could have put paid to the Scot's involvement behind the scenes.

"Winning the Ryder Cup as captain felt a million miles better to me than winning it as a player. I was very relaxed as a player and, of course, you can't be tense in that situation.

"And if you show you are tense as a captain and keep running about from one situation to another, it can give the wrong message to the players."

Torrance is optimistic of Europe's chances of successfully defending the trophy in Louisville, having dominated the event over the last decade.

"I think it is looking good for us. We are going for six wins in seven and we are certainly favourites," he said. "But the Americans are a good side, too, and Paul Azinger's a good captain.

"You have to remember that the course will be set up to suit them - which is only to be expected - and the result is certainly no formality."

American lineup

Meanwhile US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger named Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, JB Holmes and Chad Campbell as his four captain's selections on Tuesday to complete the American lineup that will challenge Europe in two weeks at the Ryder Cup in Louisville, Kentucky.

Campbell, whose wife is expecting to deliver a baby any day, is the only one of the trio who has played in the event before.

Holmes, a Kentuckian who knows well the host Valhalla course for the event, is the only member of the group who has won an event this year, having taken the title in Phoenix.

"We're all excited to be on the team," Mahan said. "I wish it were starting today."

Azinger changed the selection process this year to give himself more picks and to make them later, three weeks after the points process sealed the top eight spots for others to find the hottest players heading into the event.

"I really liked Stricker and JB Holmes," Azinger said. "I think we rounded out this team with the best possible players at this time."

- AFP