Price fears for Europe fortunes

37th Ryder Cup - USA v Europe
Venue: Valhalla, Kentucky Date: 19-21 September Coverage: Daily highlights on BBC TV and BBC Sport website, Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Sports and updates/commentary on Red Button and BBC Sport website

Ryder Cup hero Phil Price fears that the USA could wrest the trophy back from Europe when the 2008 tournament gets underway at Valhalla on Friday.

Price helped Europe to victory with a stunning singles win over Phil Mickelson in 2002 at The Belfry.

But the Welshman believes that Nick Faldo's holders could come unstuck.

"The USA have changed the way their selections are made, rewarding more recent form rather than over a two-year period," Price told BBC Sport Wales.

"Paul Azinger also had four wildcards which has given him better choices, so he can pick more experienced players rather than the guys who want to play a lot of tournaments.

"I don't think Europe can win, the bookies are usually very good and they have Europe as favourites, but I think the US have everything going for them."

Price also questioned the captaincy of Faldo, especially after Wednesday's incident when he tried to laugh off being seen carrying a list of players' initials.

"If Nick Faldo wins the Ryder Cup then he'll probably be a great captain but I do question some of the methods he has."

But when the pairings went out on Thursday they matched Faldo's list.

"It'll probably make no difference, but it's a little foolish of him to be writing things out like that on a piece of paper in front of so many people, I would have thought he'd have kept that in the team room," Price said.

"He's probably a little embarrassed about it all, it's probably his first mistake.

"I would say he was the right choice this time, although time will tell.

"If he wins the Ryder Cup then he'll probably be a great captain but I do question some of the methods he has.

Price also believes Faldo may have erred in his wildcard picks, leaving out the likes of Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie.

"Picking Ian Poulter was a little strange considering Darren Clarke had just won (a tournament), won earlier in the year and finished sixth at the NEC - a great record and I couldn't quite work the logic out on that one," Price added.

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