Golf: Ryder Cup winning captain Bernard Gallacher has urged new skipper Mark James to give Nick Faldo as long as possible to make this year's event.

The man who captained Europe on three occasions believes Faldo should be allowed right up to the deadline to prove he can lead the team to victory.

The six times Major winner has had a wretched two years, missing cuts at the Masters and US Open.

But Gallacher said: "If Nick even senses that he may be coming back into some kind of form, then I would take him.

"The experience he has would be invaluable for the team, but he has to feel that he is getting his form back.

"He doesn't need to come into form until September and he should be given as long as possible so that he can judge it for himself."

Gallacher guided Europe to victory at Oak Hill in 1995 and knows how Faldo reacts when this particular trophy is on offer.

"He will rise to the occasion no matter how he is playing and as long as he is somewhere near form, he would be one of my wild cards," added Gallacher.

"The Ryder Cup puts form to the side and Nick is someone who responds to the situation the event places on you."

Lee Westwood has already lost two of the seven titles he won around the world last year - and he does not want to lose any more.

The 25-year-old from Worksop is the defending champion again at the Compass English Open, which starts at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire today.

Colin Montgomerie is the centre of attention as he goes for a third victory in four weeks. But this is also Westwood's final appearance before the US Open, and he is very keen to make it a good one.

On the same course last year Montgomerie opened with an eight-under-par 64 to lead, but it was world No 8 Westwood who lasted the test the better.

Three rounds of 68 and a Saturday 67 gave him a two-stroke victory over Swede Olle Karlsson and Australian Greg Chalmers - scorer of a dazzling course-record 61 in the third round - with Montgomerie fourth.

It took Westwood top of the Order of Merit for the first time in his career, but he goes into this year's event - worth nearly £120,000 to the winner - only 19th in the table, almost £300,000 behind Montgomerie.

Also playing this week are Faldo, Darren Clarke and Ian Woosnam - all looking to ignite their seasons - and James, runner-up to Montgomerie on Monday.

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