Nerve Is The Key - Faldo

Europe's most capped Ryder Cup player Nick Faldo (pictured) will be a very interested observer of the 36th Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA at the K Club in Ireland later this month. He has been confirmed as Europe's captain for the 2008 renewal of the great event at the Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky and is predicting that this year's event will be extremely close.

"In matchplay these guys are very evenly matched," he told Sky Sports News yesterday.

"It will be about making the right shots at the right times. To be honest the course doesn't really come into it. Most of them are so evenly matched that the main points will be the matching up of the best pairings and who holds their nerve better."

Faldo has some sympathy for Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who has vocally shown his anger at being overlooked for a wildcard berth, but has backed Woosnam's decision to pick Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.

"Darren and Lee were Woosie's picks," the six-time Major winner said.

"He's the captain and he believes in them so he's taking them to the Ryder Cup. Thomas is upset about things but that is bound to happen when guys are just outside the top ten. Somebody has to miss out and this time it was him."

The Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA runs from September 22/24. With the excitement building, log on to www.golf-monthly.co.uk for all the best build up to and coverage of one of sport's greatest spectacles.