Faldo was taken to task in some quarters, with Colin Montgomerie weighing in after not being given a wild card and taking the role of an armchair critic for the first time since 1989.

Mahan, however, thinks such criticism is way over the top.

"Nick Faldo, who's a Ryder Cup legend, won more points on the European side than anybody (as a player) and they're crucifying him right now," Mahan, pictured, said on the eve of the Tour Championship.

"I think someone said this kills everything he's ever done in his career. I think that's a bit much for a guy who's won six majors and was number one in the world for a long time.

"But he was bold in his picks and bold in his selections. You definitely feel for him, because he definitely doesn't deserve that."

But Jim Furyk, who clinched the cup for his team, had a slightly different take.

"I'm not surprised and not because I feel he did a bad job," said Furyk. "I've just seen it happen to our last three captains."