Thursday was just what Faldo ordered

Nick Faldo must have been all smiles today at lunch.

Paul Casey, competing this week in the Barclays at Ridgewood Country Club, was safely in the clubhouse after shooting an opening-round 65. The Englishman needs to play well over the next two weeks to earn spot on Faldo's Ryder Cup team.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, Justin Rose, who is also on the bubble to make the Ryder Cup team, shot 67 to finish the first day of the KLM Open tied for fifth. Darren Clarke, who is trying to impress Faldo and earn a captain's pick, shot 68.

Don't look now, but the European stars that Faldo wants on his squad are starting to get hot. 

Padraig Harrington has won two majors in two months, and Sergio Garcia is playing well again. Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez may have missed the cut at the PGA Championship, but you know both will be ready to go at Valhalla. If Casey, Clarke and Rose continue to round into form, Faldo will be grinning from ear to ear.

(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)