Paul Azinger Calls Nick Faldo the American Variant of Wanker

During his prime, Nick Faldo was known as much for his prickly demeanor as for his his six major championship victories. He's seemingly mellowed in his old age and blossomed as a golf analyst. And in addition to his television duties, Faldo will also serve as the European Ryder Cup captain this fall.

It's this last job that has some people worked up, particularly Faldo's American counterpart, Paul Azinger:

"Nick Faldo has tried to redefine himself," Azinger told the Mail on Sunday. "Some people have bought it. Some have not.

"But if you're going to be a prick and everyone hates you, why do you think that just because you're trying to be cute and funny on air now that the same people are all going to start to like you?"

"The bottom line is that the players from his generation and mine really don't want to have anything to do with him."

At least Azinger didn't call him Sir Wanklicus. Interestingly, the two worked together as analysts a few years ago when ABC still televised golf. And not only did they share a booth, they were very good. But despite the on-air comraderie, Azinger is still peeved about Faldo's questionable sportsmanship during the 1993 Ryder Cup:

"He talked me into giving him a five-footer on the 16th," Azinger said. "He said: 'It's over. You guys have won.' So I waived the putt, Then Davis Love [III] ran over and told me the match was still tied. I can't tell you how irritating that was."

Just so we're clear: everybody loathes Faldo. On the upside, I still think he's great on The Golf Channel telecasts, especially relative to his Tiger Woods-hating boothmate.