The absence of Nike golfer Tiger Woods from this year''s Ryder Cup could strengthen the US team, according to Nick Faldo.
With the world number one and recent US Open champion missing the rest of the season due to his knee injury, the Americans will be without their leading scorer from the 2006 Ryder Cup when this year''s event begins in September.
However, European captain Faldo has suggested that losing Woods could actually motivate the US players as they bid for their first Ryder Cup victory since 1999.
"On the one side it could be a loss, but on the other they know they don''t have the option to bank on Tiger this year," Faldo said.
"I''m sure they''ll all pull together because of that," he added.
Faldo also wished Woods a "swift recovery" and said that he feels the 32-year-old is "on track" to surpass Jack Nicklaus'' record of 18 Major titles once he returns to competitive golf.
The 2008 Ryder Cup starts on 19th September at the Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.
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