Woosie of a call

The good news for America's Ryder Cup hopes in 2006? Germany's Bernhard Langer will not return as the European captain. The bad news? The Grand Teutonic may come back as a player, making him -- theoretically -- more involved in scuttling the U.S. side than last fall, when he patrolled the sidelines while directing Europe to its most convincing win in Ryder Cup history.

For now, there is no counterpart to Tom Lehman, who will captain the American side. A 15-member panel will convene on March 1 to pick the next European captain, and the choice apparently has come down to two prime candidates: Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo (with Sandy Lyle and Jose Maria Olazabal as longshots).

Woosnam, the personable Welshman whose small stature and big heart made him a crowd favorite ... and whose exploits at the local pubs made him just as popular with the 19th hole crowd. Faldo, the unwavering Brit who never let his guard down in winning six majors. The quintessential reserved Englishman.

Which one would be Europe's best choice at the K Club in County Kildare, Ireland, in September 2006? Which one would assure European dominance in the Ryder Cup, with the winning streak now at two (and four of the last five)?

Both are excellent candidates. Whichever one does not land the job in 2006 likely will be the European captain in 2008 when the Cup returns Stateside. But odds are that Wee Woosie gets the call next month.

If you're looking at pure Ryder Cup credentials, Woosnam certainly doesn't measure up to Faldo, who has a record 11 Ryder Cups under his belt. And Woosie's never won at singles, although he does have a sterling 10-3-1 record in fourball.

It isn't a matter of playing, though. It's a matter of personality. Woosie wins that battle hands down. He's the cheerleader, the guy who can rally the troops. He seems to best exemplify Europe's esprit de corps that seem to be lacking on the American side. Of course, given that Europe will be playing in front of its own fans, depending on the captain for an emotional uplift may not be as important.

Still, Woosie has the advantage of having served as a vice-captain under Sam Torrance at the Belfry in 2002. Even with his jovial attitude, he showed he can push the discipline button when needed during a meeting with Europe's Cup rookies. That should help allay fears that he lacks a serious side.

"He put the rookies in their places in such a kind, authoritative way," Torrance told members of the European press. "I just thought that's the stuff of great captaincy. Woosie was a wonderful vice-captain and he's got a terrific rapport with the players."

Meanwhile, Faldo lacks that kind of rapport. Recall in 1999 when he failed to make the European roster for the first time in 12 Ryder Cup events. He sent a good-luck letter to captain Mark James -- who promptly threw in the trash. Time has probably mellowed the anti-Faldo feelings, but some wounds still exist.