Earlier this week I made a post about who I thought Nick Faldo was going to choose for his two captain’s picks. Unfortunately I had a server issue and lost my database and did not have a back up of that post. I presented four possible choices: Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, and Ian Poulter. I predicted that Darren Clarke and Paul Casey would be Nick Faldo’s picks. I had a poll at the end of the post where you could have voted who you though he would pick. Most votes going to Darren Clarke (50% of votes), Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie tied for the next spot (25% of votes), and Ian Poulter did not get a vote.

Today, August 31, Nick Faldo made his picks. His picks were Paul Casey and Ian Poulter. In the poll we were only 25% correct in choosing the captain’s picks.

So it seems to be a changing of the guard in Europe. Colin Montgomerie had 8 consecutive appearances in the Ryder Cup and has won more matches than Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, and Jim Furyk combined, 20-18. Darren Clarke was thought to be a front runner with his recent solid play and has post a win in that stretch.

When asked why he chose Paul Casey and Ian Poulter? Faldo responded:

“I had to make the call. What I saw through the Majors this year have been very important to me. I think obviously the Ryder Cup is a Major, it really is. It’s taking you to another level.

“I’ve been watching these guys through the summer, and Ian is obviously a very determined guy. I love his attitude and obviously what he did at The Open Championship. That back nine he played with the intention to win, and he had that emotional feeling, rather than just finishing second.

“He had that putt that I’m sure for those few moments he felt that was to win an Open Championship. So, you know, coupled with his stats, he’s the leading playing in the world who is not in the Team in the World Rankings, so you know, those are just a few reasons.

“And then Paul Casey, I’ve been watching Paul play in my role now on television, I’ve become a bit of a stat man, and tee to green Paul has been playing absolutely the best through this summer and through the Majors, and I was kind of waiting for the putting to turn around.

“You know, in the last few weeks, he’s been very much close to being number one in putting averages through the week. So that’s been very important. And obviously former World Match Play Champion and extremely good record in Ryder Cup from his past Ryder Cups and even Walker Cups going way back. I feel very good about those two picks.”

Now Team Europe is set and looks like this

• Paul Casey
• Sergio Garcia
• Søren Hansen
• Padraig Harrington
• Miguel Angel Jiménez
• Robert Karlsson
• Graeme McDowell
• Ian Poulter
• Justin Rose
• Henrik Stenson
• Lee Westwood
• Oliver Wilson