Debate: Is Nick Faldo to blame for Ryder Cup defeat?

It was expected, with his renowned single-mindedness, that Nick Faldo would do things his way as captain of the Europe team and would stand or fall by his decisions. So, was he good or bad?

The vice-captaincy

Decided on only one vice-captain (José MarÍa Olazábal), arguing that he trusted his own judgment rather than that of others. This is a weakness and a strength of the man. Helped hugely by the calming influence of Olazábal in the team room, but probably needed more help on the course.

How the 2008 Ryder Cup was won

Follow the final day's play from Valhalla as the 37th Ryder Cup draws to a dramatic conclusion with today's singles matches

• Mission accomplished for United States

• Justin Rose's Ryder Cup diary: I'm heartbroken

• Analysis: misfiring big three cost Europe dear in Ryder Cup

Europe surrender under brilliant assault

The US reclaimed the Ryder Cup for first time since 1999 with a sustained performance in the singles matches at Valhalla

• Elementary approach pays off for J.B. Holmes

• Nick Faldo's bold approach backfires in failure to reclaim initiative from US

• Ryder Cup warning signs to watch out for

Multimedia

• The key moments, match by match

• Is Faldo to blame for Europe's defeat?

Related Links

• Faldo playing risky game with singles line-up

• Analysis: Nick Faldo is off his rocker

• Faldo fires opening salvo in war of words

Too proud to ask Paul McGinley – who had originally accepted a vice-captain’s role before deciding that he would prefer to try to play his way into the team – to rejoin his backroom team. McGinley’s experience (three Ryder Cups) and deep knowledge of the Europe players would have been invaluable. Instead, DJ Spoony, the Radio 1 disc jockey, was called on to rouse the troops, which, to outsiders, seemed off the wall.

The wild-cards

His selection of Paul Casey and, more contentiously, Ian Poulter caused consternation among most observers, who believed that Darren Clarke should have been picked. The Northern Irishman had recently come into form – one of Faldo’s criteria for selection – and was a natural and experienced partner for Lee Westwood. The suggestion was that Poulter had been told of his inclusion before the announcement of the team, and it is a suggestion that is not going to go away.

As it panned out, Poulter was inspired by the faith shown in him by Faldo and was determined not to let down his captain. Paired with Justin Rose in the first three sessions, Poulter was disappointed that a three-hole lead was frittered away in defeat by Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell in the Friday foursomes. But he made up for it with wins in the next three sessions, two with Rose and one in the company of Graeme McDowell, and was fired up for his singles match against Steve Stricker. It was a dead rubber by the time he closed out the match 3 and 2, but he had done his captain proud. A good selection.

Casey played only two matches in the first two days and picked up a half-point. His match with Hunter Mahan in the singles was a cracker, though, a birdie at the last sealing an important half-point at that stage. Would Clarke have been better? Who knows? What is certain is the dynamics of the team room would have been different. Faldo gets on better with the young guns.

Friday foursomes

Risked pairing Casey and Henrik Stenson, who can be erratic, and did not get a point. Could not really argue with his other pairings, even though a return of one point was not good enough.

Friday four-balls

The ideal format for Casey, Stenson and Karlsson, who are all long hitters and capable of going on a run of birdies. All three were sidelined and Europe walked off with a measly 1½ points.

Saturday foursomes

Described as “off his rocker” for dropping Sergio GarcÍa and Lee Westwood – the former unbeaten in nine foursomes matches, the latter having just equalled Arnold Palmer’s record of 12 matches unbeaten. GarcÍa, he said, was tired and Westwood had blisters. Got away with it after inspired performances by Stenson, Oliver Wilson, Rose and Poulter.

Saturday four-balls

Poulter was the only player selected for all four sessions. Played inspired golf alongside McDowell and sealed the only win of the afternoon. Pairings OK. Session halved 2-2. Sunday singlesOnly time would tell if the singles lineup was inspired or misjudged. With McDowell, Poulter, Westwood and Padraig Harrington at 9, 10, 11 and 12, the risk was that the match would be over before they had a chance to influence proceedings. The policy relied on the early players to deny the US the 5½ points they needed to lift the trophy. The plan backfired. As Jim Furyk wrapped up victory for his team, Europe’s last four were on the course and out of it.

Conclusion

Defeat for Europe had to come at some stage, but the manner of it last night was disappointing, because they lost the initiative early on and did not come close to taking it back. And for that, the captain has to take full responsibility.