Faldo comes up short but says he has no regrets

ALTHOUGH Europe suffered their heaviest reversal against the USA in the Ryder Cup for more than a quarter of a century yesterday, the scale of the defeat was lost on Nick Faldo, Europe's captain, who insisted he wouldn't do anything differently and was "more than comfortable" with his own contribution as team leader.

• Watch a slideshow of pictures of the final day's play from Valhalla

Faldo's take on how close Europe came to winning this match was a puzzling theory in light of the substantial five-point margin of loss. "We just needed to hold them up," he said.

"You know we just literally missed out by one point and it could have even gone down to Padraig Harrington right at the 18th, the last match. That just shows you how close it was. Everybody knew what we were trying to do. The guys played great. I'm so proud of them.

"The guys have given their hearts and souls in this event and Europe has come up short but the golf was fantastic. The shot-making was unbelievable and so was the putting."

Asked about his own contribution, Faldo added: "I'm very happy. That was one of my goals, to leave on Sunday night knowing I did my best for the team. I'm more than comfortable with how everything has panned out.

"I've got a feeling that this team, by the time we get home, should celebrate. It's been a great week. I wanted it to be a great experience and you know, we will remember this. As I said, everybody has given it their all. They have done a good job."

Faldo was also quick to praise the victorious Americans. "Their shot-making and putting has been unbelievable so you have to give them credit for that," he added. "You look at what happens when you come down these final holes – you're talking about the difference being a good shot, a chip, a putt.

"Everyone gave their all but the US were slightly better. We've come out maybe one guy short. It could have been different if we had got into those last four guys, but we took that risk."

Europe's captain paid tribute to Ian Poulter, the top scorer with four points and predicted he could go on to win a major. "Poults came out here strong mentally, a team man," he said. "The guy is a player and could be ready to move his game on to the next level."

Butch Harmon, one of America's most respected coaches, argued that Faldo was not the same resolute character as a captain that he was in winning major championships.

"I watched Nick win all six of his majors and he always looked in control," said Harmon. "He didn't look in control now. He looked nervous."

One positive from the match, which some commentators in America thought was in danger of losing its appeal on this side of the Atlantic, was the return of genuine competition.

"The Ryder Cup should be a hard- fought competition, and this year that's what it's back to being," observed Justin Rose. " I think the last two Ryder Cups, the Europeans have exceptional results. I don't think anyone was kidding ourselves (that would happen again]. We knew it was going to be tight."

Paul Azinger, the man with a plan, was still keeping 'Mum' about his approach to the match, though this observer reckoned it consisted of pilfering every good idea the past three European captains had about taking the pressure off his players, talking up the opposition as favourites and then picking off their most talented champions.

"I told them we were on a free run this week because not too much was expected of them," said Azinger. "We also created the 13th man with the crowd. My captain's picks played well and we went out with a one-shot-at-a- time mission. In the end, it came down to putting and heart."

Azinger added: "I'm just emotional, I've been pretty good until just a minute ago. We just had a plan and we stuck to it. It was amazing. The golf was spectacular on both sides and our guys just came out on top. They took an 'everything to gain' attitude into this competition.

"I came in with a plan. These guys came together as a group and we stuck to a message – what is important is to win – and we stayed on message."

Azinger admitted he had been unable to predict what would happen on the final day despite starting the singles with a 9-7 lead. He continued: "The European team is still a phenomenal team. It seemed like every one (singles match] to me was toss up, toss up – I had no idea."

The team did not feel the absence of Tiger Woods, who is recovering from a knee injury – but Azinger revealed he wished the world No 1 had been in Kentucky. He added: "Tiger was great, he kept text messaging me, I missed him – I really wanted to spend this week hanging out with him."

Boo Weekley, one of the star turns for the American team, also reckoned the US had taken a leaf out of Europe's book by enjoying themselves off the course as well as on it. "I think we actually became a family and that's something we've been missing in the past," he said. "There was a little bit of laughter and Paul has made it real easy for us. He gave us every opportunity to have fun, and if we couldn't take advantage of it, well, it was our own damned fault, if you know what I mean."

Phil Mickelson warned that the momentum is now with the American team as he looks forward to the next Ryder Cup – at Celtic Manor in two years' time – after winning in Kentucky. The Americans had six rookies in their team this year, and Mickelson believes they will be a force to reckoned with in Wales.

"We had six guys on the team who had never faced the negativity we have had in the past and the next team will not have all the baggage the last decade has brought us," Mickelson said. "We have a lot to build on, we haven't won in Europe for a while so we'll look forward to Wales. It's going to be fun."