Azinger speaks out against Faldo

Ryder Cup:  American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger laid into opposite number Nick Faldo and claimed that players want "nothing to do with him".

Azinger also said that there was "no way" Faldo would give a wild card to Colin Montgomerie because of their relationship.

In an article in the Mail on Sunday newspaper Azinger ignited what was always likely to be a lively countdown to this September's match.

"The bottom line is that the players from his generation and mine really don't want to have anything to do with him," commented the man who only last year was sharing a television commentary booth with Faldo.

"He did what he did as a player and there are relational consequences. Nick Faldo has tried to redefine himself. I'd say he is both who he is and who he was. Some people have bought it. Some have not."

Faldo and Montgomerie used to be cup partners, but Faldo criticised the Scot for his behaviour at last season's Seve Trophy match at The Heritage in Portlaoise and Azinger said: "I hope he plays against us, but I'm worried he won't. He and Faldo don't seem to get along and there's no way Faldo will award him one of his two wild cards."

Montgomerie though remains hopeful that that will not be the case if he fails to qualify automatically.

He added: "I've spoken to Nick and it's fine - it doesn't concern me," he said of the dispute. "Nick is his own man - he's a very, very individual man."