GOLF RYDER CUP:NICK FALDO is an expert at muddying the waters. Yesterday, his denials, as much as anything else, enabled the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Country Club to spring to life as Europe's captain - seeking to extend the team's remarkable win streak to four - threw back a series of answers in the negative to those of us attempting to unravel his foursomes pairings ahead of play which finally gets under way tomorrow, writes Philip Reidat Valhalla.
Apparently he was caught off guard on the 11th green by a television cameraman and a photographer who zoomed in over his shoulder to capture initials on a piece of paper which Faldo held in his hand during yesterday's practice. When queried about the image, Europe's captain countered, firstly, that they pertained to nothing more than "the lunch list", and, later, that they merely formed the pairings for today's final practice session.
Like a used car salesman, could you trust his response?
Faldo is the type of guy who would insist black was white. On this occasion, he struggled to keep a poker face as he sought to rubbish the theory he had shown his hand to US captain Paul Azinger.
"It (the piece of paper) had sandwich requests for the guys, just making sure who wants tuna, who wants beef, who wants ham . . . that's all it was, a sandwich list."
For the record, the initials that can be seen showing through the reverse of the paper indicate these pairings: SG-LW, PH-RK, JR-IP, GMcD-PC-HS. The initials OW, SH, MAJ were underneath, seemingly surplus to requirements - if you were to believe the list represented his intended foursomes pairings.
All of which, if you were a conspiracy theorist, would have you believe that Sergio Garcia would partner Lee Westwood, Pádraig Harrington would partner Robert Karlsson, Justin Rose would partner Ian Poulter and that he had still to make his mind up in a pairing between Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson.
Later, Faldo confirmed he had a list of players but that he hadn't put numbers next to the initials.
"We don't know what order they will go out in . . . if the photographer had been on the 13th or 14th tee, it (had) all changed, so it's all different now."
He added: "It's tomorrow's pairings, okay? I've been caught. I learned a lesson." The grin that accompanied his assertion, though, was that of a poker player whose bluff had been called.
Ironically, Azinger had earlier claimed he had no interest in trying to figure out the European pairings. "I haven't given the European team any consideration whatsoever. I'm really just focused on trying to get my team ready and to get them prepared. I haven't spied on them. I think they've got a couple of spies following us around a bit, but that's okay," said Azinger.
Indeed, the captains could well be involved in a game of bluff. Did Faldo make a gaffe by allowing his foursomes pairings to be captured by the TV cameraman? And is Azinger above aboard in his repeated assertions that he intends to pair locals JB Holmes and Kenny Perry together for the opening foursomes tomorrow?
Faldo, for one, isn't convinced Azinger would show his hand or admit so readily to playing the Kentuckians in the first match. "I think Paul is trying to pull a poker move here, so we will see . . . . in the Ryder Cup, each captain does their own thing and it's a blind draw and they come together and we will see. If that happens, it happens."
Having finished his practice, Harrington was asked if Faldo had unwittingly shown his hand. However, the three-time major champion was quite insistent that whatever pairings were revealed couldn't be the right ones.
"I know for sure Nick hasn't actually decided who will be paired together for Friday's foursomes," said Harrington.
One thing is certain, and it is that Harrington will form an important part of Europe's opening assault. Whether that means partnering Karlsson - as the reverse side of Faldo's piece of paper would indicate - or if it means pairing up alongside Casey, or anyone else.
Although Faldo indicated there were a queue of players lining up to play alongside the reigning British Open and US PGA champion, the European skipper also made the point that Harrington "has to come alive as well. He's told me who he wants to go with."
Harrington is expected to play with Graeme McDowell in the fourballs, although it is unclear whether that will be tomorrow or on Saturday. "I don't think it would take a genius to figure out that I will play with the other Irishman on the team at some stage this week," the Dubliner said. "When and where that happens is not clear as of yet. But Graeme is playing really nice golf and his mind is right and ready to go. I'll be keen to tee it up with him."
Yet, the master of muddying waters refused to confirm that they would be an item when it mattered in the heat of competition, despite the two playing together for the second practice day in succession. When it was put to Faldo, he responded: "No, it will be something different. Promise you."
As clear as dishwater, really.
Thankfully, all will be revealed today when Azinger and Faldo announce their foursomes pairings at the opening ceremony. And the phoney war can finally move on to real action.
