End of an era as Ryder Cup captain Faldo gives Open a miss

During that time he became the first British golfer since Henry Cotton in the 1940s to win the Claret Jug on three occasions.

What makes the decision surprising is that this year's venue, Royal Birkdale, is one of his favourite courses - a place where he won the PGA Championship 30 years ago.

Faldo, with United States captain Paul Azinger (right) is sacrificing Royal Birkdale

Faldo admitted that he is worn out from the gruelling schedule of combining television commitments for two American networks plus his duties as Ryder Cup captain.

"I am golfed out," he said, outlining a typical day that sees him in the gym watching the European Tour each morning, followed by commentating duties on the American tour each afternoon.

The 50-year-old certainly sounded golfed out during a prickly Ryder Cup press conference at Wentworth yesterday.

One of the few highlights, ironically enough, was when he was asked about Colin Montgomerie, with whom he had a well-documented fall-out last year.

If ever a man needed a metaphorical arm around the shoulder right now it is poor Monty, currently labouring under the weight of his worst-ever world ranking position of 90th.

Montgomerie goes into the BMW PGA Championship, starting at Wentworth tomorrow, hopelessly adrift of the top 30 Ryder Cup qualifying places but Faldo rallied to his defence.

"I believe Monty will turn it around," he said. "I certainly haven't counted that out. He has a great way of producing the goods when we really need it and a player of his ability has enough time to make it happen."

Monty, so often a Ryder Cup hero, is struggling with his form

Faldo was also wholehearted in his praise of another veteran, Darren Clarke, who is showing rather better form.

"I congratulate Darren on his recent win in China and the way he has come back from such a terrible time off the course," said the European captain.

"He showed character beyond belief during the last Ryder Cup at the K Club and is trying very hard now."

On the subject of his two wild-card picks, Faldo said he would start paying close attention to them after The Open.

"I have no rules with regard to picking players with experience," he said. "It will be down to the last month - who I've got as my 10 and what I wish to add to that to get the right blend."

Being based in America, Faldo has duly noted the way every U.S tournament winner has marked his victory by proclaiming a burning desire to play in the Ryder Cup.

"It is certainly different to how it was in the past," he said. "You can see that it is a big priority for their guys, that their captain Paul Azinger is drumming it up a bit more. It shows things are hotting up."

Faldo wouldn't be drawn on the subject of his vice-captains.

This time last year he was happily announcing Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley, only for the latter to drop out.

Now the topic appears to be subject to the Official Secrets Act, with every question defensively batted back.

It was that sort of conference.