McGinley Quits As Faldo's Ryder Cup Deputy

If Nick Faldo is to add his name to the list of European captains who have led their team to Ryder Cup victory over the United States he will have to do so without the help of Paul McGinley who yesterday announced he was standing down from his position as vice-captain for next year's match at Valhalla, Kentucky, against the United States.

"On reflection, and after careful consideration, I feel it's in my best interest to concentrate on playing myself into the team, which I said from the outset was my first objective," McGinley said in a statement released by the European Tour which struck a dissonant note for a number of reasons, not least that it came just four months after he sat beside Faldo and said he "was greatly honored" to have been asked to do the job in the first place.

The timing was also curious, coming as it did on the eve of the Seve Trophy match between a team from Great Britain and Ireland, captained by Faldo, and a European squad led by Seve Ballesteros. There have been suggestions in golfing circles that McGinley was bemused by Faldo's decision not to select him as a wild-card pick for his squad, especially as it would have given the Irishman some valuable insight into the European captain's thinking on team matters before next year's Ryder Cup.

For all his greatness as a golfer, Faldo has long had a reputation for being a high-handicapper when it comes to personal relations. McGinley's departure in such circumstances will have done little to change the mind of those who suspect there will more upheaval within European ranks before a ball is struck in anger in Kentucky.

For his part, the Englishman tried his best yesterday to put a gloss on what was a serious embarrassment. "I spoke to Paul about two weeks ago and asked him if he wanted to come to Valhalla with me [on a planning trip next month], but he said he couldn't," Faldo said. "I spoke to him again last week and again this morning. He took two weeks to think about it and said 'I really want to play, Nick'. We had that agreement. I'd seen the rumblings and good luck to him if he wants to play. If that's his priority then that's absolutely fine with me."

Currently, McGinley stands 70th on the European Tour order of merit, and 183rd in the world ranking. He appears an unlikely candidate for next year's team but he has a history of finding form as the Ryder Cup selection process reaches it climax. He also has an unbeaten Ryder Cup record with three wins in three appearances, including the 2002 victory at the Belfry where he holed the winning putt.