It seems Ryder Cup quibbling is not exclusive to the United States team.
Despite the European’s Ryder Cup victory being only three weeks old, some of the events have made it into Ian Poulter’s autobiography, “No Limits”.
Working as a commentator for Golf Channel’s live Ryder Cup coverage September 26, Nick Faldo described Sergio Garcia as “useless” in the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla. Europe lost the ’08 competition with Faldo serving as the European Captain.
The European team was out on the course taking a 5-3 lead over the Americans when the comments were made. The team found out collectively after the day’s matches at a memorable press conference. The Euros were visibly angry at the news. Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, and Graeme McDowell verbally defended Garcia.
Poulter managed to document the incident in his book that is being released this week. I picture Poulter speeding to the publisher in one of his many exotic sports cars, and in a flash of turquoise and magenta, yelling “stop the presses!”.
“It makes me laugh. Faldo is talking about someone being useless at the 2008 Ryder Cup. That’s the Ryder Cup where he was captain. That’s the Ryder Cup where the Europe team suffered a heavy defeat. And he was captain. So who’s useless?
“Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror. I have always got on great with Faldo in the past and I have a great deal of respect for everything he has achieved but this feels like sour grapes. It feels like a guy who is still bitter that he lost in 2008.
“Faldo has lost a lot of respect from players because of what he said. There were plenty of things a lot of the players were unhappy with at Valhalla but none of us criticized him. He may find that begins to change now.”
Faldo immediately backpedalled, blaming his poor choice of words on the perils of live television.
Poulter’s “No Limits” will be released October 23. Sounds like an interesting read.
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