McDowell wants early involvement

TOUR NEWSRYDER CUP rookies Graeme McDowell and Soren Hansen believe Europe's captain Nick Faldo will not let them sit in the wings until the singles in next week's match with the United States at Valhalla.

Northern Ireland's McDowell and Denmark's Hansen are convinced they have too much to offer to be sidelined in the way rookies Jean Van de Velde, Jarmo Sandelin and Andrew Coltart were at Brookline in 1999 when they did not get a game until the final day.

"I'm looking forward to being on the tee Friday morning and hopefully putting a peg in the ground," McDowell said yesterday at Gut Larchenhof on the eve of the Mercedes Benz Championship.

McDowell, already experienced at beating Americans in their own backyard during his highly successful collegiate years in the United States, believes that experience will count in his favour. He plumped for Pádraig Harrington, winner of the last two majors, as his choice for playing partner.

"I think, probably along with another 10 players, I would love to play with Pádraig, he's pretty much the best player in the world at the minute," McDowell said.

"And I think if I got a game with Pádraig - or Sergio - perhaps I could get thrown in a couple more times."

Hansen, who defends his title this week at Gut Larchenhof, felt his consistency would earn him more than just a singles outing in Kentucky. "I've played tremendous golf now for nearly two years straight and there has not been a tournament when I have not knocked on the door," said Hansen.

While Hansen thought Faldo would find it "pretty easy" to decide the pairings, McDowell was not so certain. "I imagine everyone wants to play as much as they possibly can before Sunday," he said. "It's a tough team to put together."

Having spoken to Faldo last week, though, McDowell believed the six-times major champion, already with experience of captaining in last year's Seve Trophy, will be prepared to listen to his players, whether they are triple major champion Harrington or a debutant like him.

"He said to me on the phone he's wanting input from us. I want to hear if you're playing well - and if you're not playing well I want to hear that as well."

Meanwhile Bernhard Langer believes Faldo is "making a mistake" by not having more helping hands at Valhalla.

Faldo originally selected Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley as his assistants, only for McGinley to step down to concentrate on trying to qualify for the team. The Dubliner failed to do so but Faldo decided not to reinstate him, preferring to "gather all the information myself, first-hand".

But Langer (51), who captained Europe to a record nine-point victory at Oakland Hills in 2004, feels that is a mistake after using vice-captain Anders Forsbrand and assistants Joakim Haeggman and Thomas Bjorn as his eyes and ears on the course. "I think he's making a mistake by not having someone with each group," said Langer in Cologne yesterday.

"I don't think he necessarily needs any more input from anyone if he feels he and Olly have plenty of experience, but I think once you have the four teams on the course I know as a captain I would like to have one person with each group and give me information."

Asked if he would reinstate McGinley, Langer added: "Possibly, and I think maybe someone else as well. Why not? Paul didn't make the team and if he is available and would like to go, why not? Paul has been there a number of times and would be a great asset."

Langer also stressed the important role played by Forsbrand in reporting on the set-up of the course before he chose Colin Montgomerie and Luke Donald as his wild cards.

McDowell is one of six Irish players in the field. He will be joined by Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Rory McIlroy

Cologne Championship

Course:Gut Larchenhof, Cologne.

Length: 7,289 yards. Par: 72.

Prize-money: €2 million, €333,330 to the winner.

Field: 78 (no cut).

Defending champion: Soren Hansen

Course records: Fredrik Jacobson 60, KJ Choi 262 for 72 holes (both 2003).

On TV: Sky Sports all four days.

Weather: Cloudy but warm for first two days, but to get much colder on Saturday with a chance of rain.