Faldo keen for second shot at Ryder Cup job

Published on Wednesday 19 November 2008 21:52

NICK Faldo is keen to once 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 be given the job of captaining 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.

"What's been said has been said, so we've moved on. We're two months on now," he said.

"I really enjoyed it. 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."

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."

Faldo has fond memories of Hong Kong having won the Johnnie Walker Classic there in 1990. It is clearly a place he enjoys – his last competitive appearance was at last year's UBS Hong Kong Open.

The tournament is the second-counting event for the European Tour's inaugural Race to Dubai.

The top 60 in the Race to Dubai qualify for the Dubai World Championship, which has a lucrative prize fund of US $10million (5.6m) and a first prize of US $3.6m (2m).