GRAEME STORM prepares for his first match-play event since his amateur days today, determined to demonstrate his Ryder Cup credentials to Nick Faldo.

Criticism has been levelled at Faldo for the way he picked North Yorkshireman Simon Dyson and Scotland's Marc Warren as his wild cards for the Seve Trophy, which starts at The Heritage in Ireland today. Most observers felt the more established figures of Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke should have been selected, given their pedigree in successful Ryder Cup teams.

It is a situation which yesterday led to Irishman McGinley resigning from his position as vice-captain for next year's Europe versus America showpiece.

But Faldo, captain of both the Great Britain & Ireland team over the next four days and next year's European team in the Ryder Cup, felt a more youthful feel would aid his side's cause.

Storm, however, has not been distracted by the debate which has followed the non-selection of McGinley and Clarke and can rest in the knowledge that he was an automatic pick.

The Hartlepool golfer qualified on merit. His performance this season has earned him the right to play in this year's Seve Trophy by virtue of his 15th position in the European Tour Order of Merit.

It will be his first appearance in such an event and he is hoping to enjoy the sort of debut which will put him into Faldo's thoughts for the Ryder Cup in Louisville, United States.

"It's a team very much centered on the players coming through," said Storm, who has been handed a pairing with Nick Dougherty in this morning's fourballs.

"Myself, Oliver Wilson, Phillip Archer, Simon Dyson and Marc Warren have all been making progress and we would all like to think we had a chance of a place in the Ryder Cup next year.

"The Seve Trophy is an event that has been going for a few years now and it has helped the players from over here to prepare for the Ryder Cup. It means match-play golf is played every year and that is great for us all.

"Having the opportunity to play in this is great for me. To have qualified like I have for this team is right up there with playing in the Walker Cup when I was an amateur.

"It's going to be strange to be playing match-play golf again; I haven't done it since that appearance in the Walker Cup in 1999 and the Home Internationals as an amateur. I'm sure I will adjust."

It has been a difficult week for Storm. Last week he had to prepare for the British Masters after learning of the death of his uncle, Bill Storm.

But, after spending the weekend at home after missing the cut at The Belfry, he is looking to make an impression on Faldo at The Heritage Golf & Spa Club, on the outskirts of Dublin.

His call-up has arrived two years after missing out on Colin Montgomerie's ten-man team at Storm's home club, The Wynyard, when Great Britain & Ireland secured a handsome five-point win.

"I was not actually that far away from getting into the team that year," said Storm.

"I am two years on from that and for me to have climbed into the automatic qualification spots is a sign of my progress. I want that to continue. "I would not say I was targeting a place in next year's Ryder Cup but I am certainly listing it as a goal."