VIRGINIA WATER, England (PA) -- European Ryder Cup Captian Nick Faldo is promoting a plan to put candidates for his 2008 team through a rigorous fitness examination.

The top 20 players in the European points standings will be invited to attend one of the United Kingdom's most sophisticated medical facilities during the week of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next month. Faldo already has participated in a five-hour dry run, undergoing a full range of eight separate procedures.

"The range of tests, screening and analyses which I went through was, to use a phrase, 'the appliance of science' as it relates to golf," he said. "It can be informative to all the guys who have a chance of making the team. It can offer clues to their levels of fitness and health in the months building up to the Ryder Cup.

"From my own point of view, I like to know what condition I'm in and it's a pleasant feeling when the doc says, 'you're in great shape,'" he added. "You are only as strong as your weakest point and such is the workload in the Ryder Cup that fatigue can easily kick in.

"These guys all perform at the highest level and want to improve. In terms of their fitness, their exercise regime, their diet, their bio-mechanical condition, going through this process can identify areas of weakness which might need improving," he explained. "One tiny change could make a world of difference under the cosh at Valhalla.

"I would strongly encourage the guys to accept the invitation to go through the screening process," he said. "Even if they don't qualify for the team or get one of my wild cards, they will certainly benefit from the fitness evaluation."

The planned examinations come through an arrangement between Ryder Cup Europe and Surrey-based Sports Orthopaedics Spinal Ltd. The program was instigated by the company's clinical director Jonathan Shrewsbury, who worked closely with four European Ryder Cup Teams between 1993 and 1999 as part of the European Tour's physiotherapy team.

The 2008 Ryder Cup is set for Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

Copyright 2008 PA Sport. All rights reserved.