Mark James has denied talk of a players' revolt over his controversial book and hit back at main protagonist Nick Faldo, claiming the Ryder Cup veteran is out of touch.
James' comments come in the light of growing unrest among European Tour players that the 1999 Ryder Cup captain's book `Into the Bear Pit' has betrayed player confidence and undermined James' position as assistant to Sam Torrance at next year's event.
And six-time Major winner Faldo stoked the fire yesterday by calling for him to go and alleging that players were "outraged" with James - he was "a captain who had gone too far".
But James, who binned a good luck letter from Faldo at last year's Brookline event, said: "I don't believe he has support for one minute.
"After all, I don't believe he has a clear picture of how things stand. I find it difficult to believe how in touch he can be when he hardly spends any time in Europe." "What I will say is that I do think it is in the interests of everyone to get it sorted and we really don't want it going on and on," said James.
He also argued that currently only three players - Faldo, Jean Van de Velde and Paul McGinley - have spoken out against his vice-captaincy, despite Faldo's claims that "a lot of players" have sought his resignation.
"My relationship with the players is one of the main reasons I got the job. I am confident that I do have the majority of players' support."
James also confirmed that there is not, as Faldo claimed, to be a "players' meet" at Loch Lomond next week: "Nick seems to think that there is a players' meeting - there isn't. It is a tournament committee meeting."
Of the book itself, which contains details of private conversations had between the players and James, he said: "I am very pleased with it."
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