Nick Faldo's controversial captaincy of the European team that were easily beaten at Valhalla was today defended by Ryder Cup rookie Graeme McDowell.

Colin Montgomerie, overlooked for one of Faldo's two personal picks, yesterday hit out at Faldo's tactics and playing order in the defeat by the United States in Kentucky at the weekend.

But McDowell, talking before teeing off in the first round of the Quinn Insurance British Masters at The Belfry, said: "It was a real privilege to play under a guy like Nick Faldo, one of my heroes when I was growing up.

"He brought a lot to the team. I thought he prepared well and certainly had done his homework.

"Obviously, he was going to come in for a fair bit of criticism over decisions he made, maybe the singles line-up, things like that. But from the players' point of view we were very happy with the way he captained us.

"He involved everyone — caddies, wives, girlfriends — and he made everyone feel welcome.

"We made decisions as a team and we were happy with the way we executed most things during the week."

The 29-year-old Irishman leads the challenge this week to Ryder Cup team-mate and defending champion Lee Westwood.

Montgomerie is also in the field chasing a share of a purse worth £1.8million.