Faldo’s pairings were no surprise.

A British photographer captured them with his zoom lens when Faldo whipped out his notepad during Wednesday practice, and while Faldo jokingly said it was a list of sandwiches for his team, his pairings were exactly what was on the slip of paper.

No matter.

The only secret to the Ryder Cup, just like most any other tournament, is making putts.

And no team has putted like Europe.

“The guys have been on good form,” Faldo said. “We know golf. We understand golf. We start back at level ground with America, and we will do our utmost to move forward. That’s really it.”

Faldo is the most celebrated European player in Ryder Cup history, having set records for most teams (11) and most points (25). Unlike previous captains, however, he has been somewhat of an outcast since he last played the Ryder Cup in 1997 at Valderrama.

Mark James famously trashed Faldo’s good-luck note in 1999, and he has been missing from European camaraderie the last three matches, getting no closer than the broadcast booth.

But he has four rookies who know only the Faldo that won six majors, not the aloof player with singular drive to the top. And typical of most European teams, this is a happy bunch full of laughter and purpose.

“I’m loving every minute of this,” Faldo said. “This really is the best experience I’ve ever had as a non-player, inside and outside the ropes. This is the most special week of my life right now, and we haven’t even started yet.”

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