General / Editor / 23 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal have been named as Nick Faldo's assistants for next year's Ryder Cup.

The experienced duo have been key performers for the Europeans over the years, with Olazabal forming one half of the competition's most destructive pairings, alongside Seve Ballesteros, while McGinley has been on the winning side in the three Cups in which he has played.

However, both men are keen to get into the team as players and Faldo, who fully supports their decision, has revealed he will have to select alternatives if they make it.

"They are two guys I have good chemistry with," Faldo said at Wentworth.

"One is based mainly in the United States (Olazabal) and one based mainly in Europe and to have two players of their character and playing stature is very important to me.

"Their number one goal is to make the team and I am in full support of that.

"If they do then fine and I will go back into the woods and come up with two more names."

Olazabal, who has played in seven Ryder Cups, had previously turned down the chance to assist both Sam Torrance in 2002 and Bernhard Langer in 2004 but accepts that age is catching up with him.

The 41-year-old said: "I'm getting older. Obviously it's a great feeling, but Nick knows it is my intention to be part of the team as a player.

"It's nice to be named by Nick to help him in any area I can and we will just see how things develop."

McGinley, 40, said of his selection: "What a great honour to be picked by Nick, but the main thing is that I want to play in this one.

"I'm thrilled that I'll be involved one way or another. I did think about it and asked some people's advice as my fear was losing the focus on my own game.

"Once I got that right in my head I was more than delighted to go ahead."

Europe, the early 1.98 favourites in Betfair's developing outright winner market, are looking to make it four straight wins when they tee off on September 19 next year, in the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla, Kentucky.

USA can be backed at 2.36 to win the event for the first time since 1999, with the tie available at 13.5.