Nick Faldo was in tears on the eve of the Ryder Cup today - not about the match, but about Muhammad Ali.

Europe’s captain and his team, like the Americans, met and had photographs taken with the Louisville legend during final practice at Valhalla.

“It was just an incredible moment, as you can tell,” said the six-time major winner and record cup points-scorer, unable to keep hold of his emotions.

“I thought it was really special, it really was.”

When asked if he expected to be as emotional as that Faldo added: “Don’t start me again.

“Yeah. No. Yes. I’m about there (holding his hand to his forehead) with emotions this week already. I need to get it out somewhere.”

It was then put to him that for a guy renowned to be mentally strong his behaviour in his last two press conferences seemed to have been slightly erratic.

When other reporters in the room reacted to that he said: “Laughter from the cheap seat.”

Special

Then came a question about whether the pressure was getting to him.

“No. I’m loving every minute of this. This really is the best experience I’ve ever had inside, outside the ropes - as a non-player inside, outside the ropes.

“This is the most special moment, week of my life right now and he haven’t even started yet.

“That’s just the practice round, so I really am having a really special time. The way we’re getting on, the team, everything, all that we’re doing together.
“This is the best.”

Faldo is back with third wife Valerie this week, two years after they separated. She chose the outfits for the wives and girlfriends.

For American captain Paul Azinger it was not the first time he had met Ali, but he said: “It was great to see him.

“It’s hard to see him in the kind of shape he appears to be in. I’m quite sure that he could hear what I was telling him.

“I saw his eyes open up and I could see his eyes moving. He was very conscious of what I was telling him.

“I spoke at his house last year. It was really an honour to be there, pretty cool to be in Muhammad Ali’s house.

“I reminded him of the story when I was really young. I remember watching him when he fought Ken Norton and Ken Norton broke his jaw - I want to say it was the third round.

“I told him I’ll never forget that as long as I live. I’ve loved boxing my whole life. He was totally listening and I told him that was an inspiration for me, to never quit no matter what I was doing.

“It was a great privilege to be able to sit next to a great man.”
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