CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland (PA) -- Miguel Angel Jimenez backed Nick Faldo's right to pick who he wanted for the coming Ryder Cup.

Returning from a three-week break to clear his brain of "too much golf," the 44-year-old Spaniard is the only member of Faldo's team playing in this week's Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps.

Jimenez is aware of the furor over whether Darren Clarke should have been picked ahead of Ian Poulter, but he asked reporters: "Why are you surprised?

"I think Darren Clarke would deserve to be on the team too, but you only have two picks," he said. "Nick Faldo has made his decision and I think he made the right decision."

Poulter and Paul Casey were the next two highest-ranked players available to Faldo, but the feeling of many of their European Tour colleagues is that Poulter should have been at the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland last week when he still had a chance to make the top 10 on the points table.

"That's a different thing," added Jimenez, before deciding not to say any more on the matter.

Jimenez and Clarke were partners in the opening four-balls of the 2004 Ryder Cup in Detroit, thrashing Davis Love and Chad Campbell 5 and 4. But he then lost twice with Thomas Levet and was also beaten in the singles by Chris DiMarco.

Back on his debut in Boston in 1999, meanwhile, he partnered Padraig Harrington in the foursomes (one half, one defeat) and Jose Maria Olazabal in the four-balls (one win, one half) before going down to Steve Pate in singles.

"I will be happy to be a partner with anyone," he said.

The BMW PGA Championship winner is the oldest member of Faldo's line-up, but not the oldest player in the match. American Kenny Perry is 48.

As was the case four years ago, Jimenez has requested some Rioja wine and espresso coffee for the team room -- and will be taking a box of Havana cigars.

Copyright 2008 PA Sport. All rights reserved.