Faldo questions selection policy

Nick Faldo has called for a change in the Ryder Cup selection policy so that Europe can field their strongest team.

The former World No 1, who has played in the Ryder Cup nine times, is angry that a change in the rules has allowed the European captain, Bernard Gallacher, only two choices to add to the 10 players who qualify for the team on points after the German Open in three weeks.

In previous Ryder Cups, the European captain has always had three choices, with nine players qualifying automatically, but the policy was changed for this year's event, being staged at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York from 22 to 24 September, to bring Europe in line with America.

"For the good of the Ryder Cup, we must have our best guys, it's as simple as that," Faldo said. "They should move the goalposts. We need all of our seasoned players. They knew I was coming to America so in theory I was taking one spot, hopefully. That left just one real spot open.

"We should not be putting ourselves in that situation. We're going to play a tough US Open-style course and we must have our best players, players who are familiar with that style of golf."

Under the new system, the Ryder Cup veterans Jose Maria Olazabal, of Spain, and the Welshman Ian Woosnam are both in danger of failing to qualify for the team on points. Olazabal was 10th in the European standings before this week's Scandinavian Masters, while Woosnam was 11th.

Gallacher's task is further complicated by the good form of the Swede Jesper Parnevik, who, like Faldo, is also a US tour member and has more experience playing in American conditions that many other Europeans.