Faldo ends row with James for'good of game'

Nick Faldo yesterday asked that his feud with Mark James be brought to an end. James resigned as the Ryder Cup vice-captain earlier this week following the storm over his book Into The Bear Pit, in which he revealed that he had "binned" a good-luck letter from Faldo when the Ryder Cup captain last year.

Nick Faldo yesterday asked that his feud with Mark James be brought to an end. James resigned as the Ryder Cup vice-captain earlier this week following the storm over his book Into The Bear Pit, in which he revealed that he had "binned" a good-luck letter from Faldo when the Ryder Cup captain last year.

Faldo seemed determined to pursue the issue, claiming that the incident had been fabricated to help sales and called for the European Tour to take action against James. However, Faldo said in a statement last night: "I want to put this situation behind us. Golf is bigger than all this and it is not doing anybody any good."

James had been given a vote of confidence at Loch Lomond in the week before the Open Championship, but the matter came to a head at Wentworth on Tuesday after a meeting of the six-man Ryder Cup committee when the Ryder Cup captain, SamTorrance, admitted the only way to end the controversy was for his close friend James to stand down.

Now Faldo, who has come under fire from his fellow professionals for continuing the row, feels that it is time to put an end to the saga. "I appreciate the interest it's generated, but I feel sure that everyone who loves the game of golf agrees that everything that has needed to be said has already been said. It's time to bring the matter to a close."

Faldo had also been warned by the chairman of the PGA European Tour, Neil Coles, that he could face action over his outspoken remarks. "Nick has to take this to the [PGA] tournament committee if he wants to go any further, but I think he ought to be very careful with this sort of charge," said Coles.

"Over the past few years he has said a large number of things that are critical of the Tour in many ways. Comments that certain players did not try hard and criticism of the courses we play on. These were overlooked because taking them any further would have been more trouble than they were worth. If Nick wants to go down this path some of the comments may well have to be viewed in the same light." With Faldo's desire to end the feud, the six-times major winner is unlikely to face anyaction.

Faldo also hinted that he may now be ready for clear-the-air talks with James. "If Mark and I sit down to discuss the situation, it will be in private and between the two of us," he added.