LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Reuters) - European Ryder Cup players rushed to captain Nick Faldo's defence on Sunday, attempting to defuse the barrage of criticism he is expected to face following defeat by the United States.

Already under intense scrutiny over his captain's picks, Faldo was continually second-guessed at Valhalla Golf Club and labelled a bungler by British tabloids after he was photographed holding what was believed to be the team's top-secret pairings.

Asked if he was prepared for the criticism that was awaiting him and if he even cared, players Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose jumped in to try and provide the answer before Faldo could reply.

"At the end of the day, it comes down to playing well," said Garcia. "If I would have played better and I would have won my match, maybe some others coming down the stretch... maybe we would be talking and writing a different story.

"It has nothing to do with Nick. At the end of the day, we are the guys that need to perform well on the course and we just need to be better (than) the guys we play. It's not his fault."

Faldo's insistence the loss, the heaviest by Europe since 1981, was actually closer than the 16- to 11- score indicated, is likely to spark debate.

"I think, as I hope most of you would agree, (it was) incredibly close," Faldo told reporters. "Kind of like a knife edge at times.

"But there was that little difference that makes a difference at the end of the week.

"We were outplayed just marginally in different areas by America but we take our hats off to them.

"We can all leave here very proud, chins up, straight back, and we will be back to fight another day."

One of the most successful Ryder Cup players of all time, Faldo indicated it would be his last competition as team captain.

"I believe it was a one-stop shot, as they would say," said Faldo. "That was one of my goals, to leave Sunday night knowing I did my best for the team and I'm more than comfortable with how everything has panned out."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)