Nick Faldo has spoken for the first time about his amazing decision to ask ex-wife Valerie to be his Lady Captain at the Ryder Cup.

The third of Faldo's three wives is to be chief WAG to the European team which defends the Ryder Cup at the Valhalla course near Louisville, Kentucky, in September.

And the former Swiss PR agent is already working on a fashion wardrobe with leading Irish designer Paul Costelloe, who dressed the wives and partners of the European side which won at the K Club near Dublin in 2006.

Valerie Bercher married Faldo, Britain's most successful golfer with six major titles to his name, in 2001 and she gave him his fourth child, Emma, in 2003.

They divorced two years ago but 50-year-old Faldo, talking ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale where he is assessing possible Ryder Cup talent, said: "We're still very close and she has come on board to help me. She's a pretty cool, chic lady and knows how to dress the ladies really well.

"She's been working with Paul Costelloe on the designs for the ladies clothing. The guys are going to look pretty sharp on the golf course, I'm sure the ladies will look pretty chic off it."