ESPN Golf

VIRGINIA WATER, England -- Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance has criticized 2008 skipper Nick Faldo for comments he made about Colin Montgomerie earlier this week.

Faldo said Montgomerie's absence from three team meetings when the six-time major winner led Britain and Ireland at the recent Seve Trophy in Ireland was "disappointing."

"Monty's a tough one," added Faldo. "He was the only one whose emotions I had to deal with. He had to be teased out on to the 18th green to support his team."

Torrance, who led Europe to victory over the United States at the Belfry in 2002, said Faldo should not have talked about Montgomerie in that way.

"To remotely suggest Colin's not a team man is outrageous to say the least," Torrance told the BBC during the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth on Friday. "One thing Colin is, he is a team man.

"He is always there to help, to do anything you want ... a great team man."

Torrance said Faldo was given a good opportunity to prepare for next September's Ryder Cup match in Kentucky when he was chosen to lead Britain and Ireland at the Seve Trophy.

"It was a dry run for the Ryder Cup and I don't think you can criticize your players in public," said the Scot. "It's not something I would have done, it's not something I've seen any other captain do.

"You've got to keep a nice bit of decorum in the team room and keep them all happy. I'm sure Nick will learn from this and will have seen the error of his ways by criticizing Colin like that."

Bernard Gallacher, Europe's Ryder Cup skipper in 1991, 1993 and 1995, said he "never felt Faldo was a real team player."

"But I accepted it as a captain because he gave you points," Gallacher told the BBC.

"He wasn't a player like Seve [Ballesteros] who used to rule the team meetings, be out on course rooting for the players and would play with anybody the captain wanted him to play with. Nick always wanted to play with the best player."

Last week, eight-time European No. 1 Montgomerie said he would consider becoming a vice-captain for Faldo, possibly as a playing deputy.

Irishman Paul McGinley resigned from the joint position last month and Montgomerie said he might be willing to step in.

"I'd be delighted to help the European cause in any way, shape or form, whether it be a player or as an administrative role," said the 44-year-old Scot.

"Playing vice-captain? Could be."