Ryder Cup vice-captain Sam Torrance has strongly criticised Nick Faldo for labelling Sergio Garcia "useless" shortly before this year's tournament, in a magazine interview published on Tuesday.
Faldo, Britain's greatest golfer, led Europe to defeat by the United States in the 2008 Ryder Cup and said in September that Spain's Garcia had shown a "bad attitude" during the contest.
He subsequently softened his stance, while Garcia said he was willing to "forgive and forget", but Torrance remains angry about the 57-year-old's comments.
"To say that right in the middle of the Ryder Cup. What was the arsehole thinking about?" the Scot told Bunkered magazine.
"The reaction in the team room was magnificent. The guys rallied round Garcia like he was an injured, well, goose!
"Really, it was pathetic from Faldo. I've no idea where he was coming from with that stuff. You can even quote me on that. I don't care.
"He's an arsehole. It was beyond belief that one of our greatest ever players would come out with a comment like that.
"Garcia's not a team player? Have a look in the mirror, pal.
"Garcia's one of the best team players we have. He's an incredible kid, with the heart of a lion and he's incredible in the team room. Really, I've just no idea where those comments came from."
Torrance, 61, captained Europe to victory at the 2002 Ryder Cup and served as vice-captain to Paul McGinley during this year's tournament at Gleneagles, which Europe won 16.5-11.5.
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