I like the responsibility of what I’m doing.

Seeing what you believe in and what you want to happen, that’s what I’m really looking forward to. Win or lose.

As a captain I don’t think I can influence the result.

But I can influence the players to be confident and go out there and play to their best of their potential.

I’m not looking forward to my speech.

It’s been written for a long time and I’ve just got to learn it. Well, that and putting it out there when there’s a million billion people watching you. I may have to have a drink first.

Each of my players has got to be prepared to play with any other player.

At the end of the day we’re out there to win the Ryder Cup and if the captain feels that a particular player needs to play with this sort of person then I think it’s important that they understand that that is what the captain wants.

The only American I’m worried about is Tom Lehman.

It’ll be interesting to see if he gets his team into the right frame of mind. Over the last fifteen years they’ve played a little bit as individuals instead of as a team.

Nick Faldo was a very steady player and a really great partner.

We were a great pairing because I could go out and play really aggressively knowing he was always going to be there.

Reputation counts for very little in the Ryder Cup.

Look at Phil Price against Phil Mickelson in 2002. Mickelson belted it fifty yards past him but Phil just kept hitting the fairways and greens and keeping him under pressure. Eventually he won 3&2.

Unfortunately, someone like Sandy Lyle has missed out (as captain).

Sandy’s won two major championships but over the last fifteen years he hasn’t played very well and I think that’s why he’s missed out really. It’s a shame because some of the older guys haven’t been kept in and they’ve gone on to the Seniors Tour. I think it’s very important to have a captain that’s still playing with the youngsters. Then they know what’s going on.

What do I look for in a pick? Someone who’s in good form and who’s been close to the mark.

I think current form helps a lot. I just hope that Garcia starts playing a bit better. Then you’ve got your Poulters, your Westwoods, your Clarkes, you know. What’s it going to be like telling some of these guys they’re not in? It’s going to be difficult and someone’s gonna miss out.

I’ve had quite a lot of say on the set-up.

It’s very similar to what The Belfry was, quite high in the rough, narrowing up about three-hundred yards, shaved around the green so the ball will run off the greens a little bit. I’m not having this American style where its thick around the greens and where it’s just a lob wedge all the time.

The last three holes at the K Club are going to be unbelievable for the crowd.

The way they’re going to be set up means you could be two down and go eagle, birdie, eagle to finish. Can you imagine if it’s neck and neck with only a few matches left and those holes still to come? It’s going to be very, very interesting.

Which club would I use to tackle an intruder in my house?

That one there [points to fist].

» Players' Lounge