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Faldo: European heroics bode well for Valhalla

25/09/2006

Nick Faldo believes Europe's brilliant Ryder Cup victory at the K Club stands him in great stead for when he takes over the captaincy for Valhalla in two years' time.

Ian Woosnam's side secured an unprecedented third successive victory for Europe with an emphatic 18½ - 9½ win, a scoreline equalling the stunning Oakland Hills' achievement in 2004.

Faldo, commentating for television, admitted the effort from all the players was astounding and that he would love to take exactly the same team to the States in 2008.

"I will quietly go away but I don't have to think of much of a gameplan," the six-time major winner said.

"These guys love this week so much, they are so passionate about it. Passion is the best word in sport and this event just drags the passion out of you like nothing else. We talk and speculate all week but once the players get to Friday they are as happy as sandboys."

Faldo added: "We have won every series, which is unprecedented. We talked about needing to win four-and-a-half points from the singles but they went out with the right attitude to win as many points as possible and add them up at the end of the day.

"Can I have 12 wildcards and just take this team over? Just give them a cat's lick, some deodorant and clean shirts and just start over!"

Faldo also had praise of the highest degree for Darren Clarke who, having been handed a wildcard by Woosnam just six weeks after the death from cancer of his wife Heather, was unbeaten throughout the three days.

"For a moment it looked like it was going to go to Darren to hole the winning putt, which would have been unbelievable," Europe's captain-in-waiting said.

"To have a camera in your face all week after all he has been through is unbelievable. Darren said he was ready to play and was emotionally right. His inner strength; it's quite an incredible story."

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