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Faldo is pathetic and an a***hole, claims Torrance

Sergio Garcia was labelled "useless" by former European Ryder Cup captain Sir Nick Faldo © Getty Images

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Sam Torrance has branded Sir Nick Faldo an "a***hole" for questioning Sergio Garcia's commitment on the eve of this year's Ryder Cup.

Faldo caused a storm after claiming Garcia was "useless" as part of his team for the 2008 event, when the Briton oversaw Europe's only Ryder Cup defeat since 1999.

Spain's Garcia insisted he was happy to "forgive and forget" after Europe claimed an emphatic 16.5-11.5 victory at Gleneagles in September, but Torrance - who was one of Paul McGinley's vice-captains - has not been so forgiving.

"To say that right in the middle of the Ryder Cup, what was the a***hole thinking about?" Torrance told Bunkered magazine. "The reaction in the team room was magnificent. The guys rallied round Garcia like he was an injured, well, goose!

"Really, it was pathetic from Faldo. I've no idea where he was coming from with that stuff. You can quote me on that, I don't care.

"He's an a***hole. It was beyond belief that one of our greatest ever players would come out with a comment like that.

"Garcia's not a team player? Have a look in the mirror, pal.

"Garcia's one of the best team players we have. He's an incredible kid, with the heart of a lion and he's incredible in the team room. Really, I've just no idea where those comments came from."

Torrance captained Europe to victory at the Belfry in 2002 and, while he had harsh words for Faldo, he was full of praise for McGinley, who was named Coach of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday.

"I think Paul McGinley is the best captain there has ever been, there's no question about that in my mind," he added. "He was absolutely extraordinary."

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