McGinley felt his duties were having a detrimental impact

McGinley said fears over the effects on his form led to him quitting the role, telling BBC 5 Live he thinks Faldo "is going to be an excellent captain".

"One of the things we have had the last three times I have been involved is a huge unity of spirit," McGinley added.

"The last thing we want to see is that being broken, and I don't think it is."

Interview: Paul McGinley

Faldo chose McGinley along with Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal in May as his vice-captains, but the Irishman stepped down in September ahead of the Seve Trophy match between GB & Ireland and Continental Europe.

He was not named as a wildcard by Faldo for the event in his native Ireland.

606: DEBATE Faldo has been the best European player but that doesn't mean that he'll be the best RC captain smithsRU

But McGinley said: "I've fallen like a stone in the world rankings, and the longer I went on (being vice-captain), it was a drain on my energy."

Faldo's suggestion that he should visit the 2008 host course Valhalla in Kentucky also made McGinley think again about his position.

"I was asked to go to Valhalla to see hotels, that would have meant missing two tournaments on tour. I felt I couldn't do that," he said.

McGinley has not turned his back on taking the job in the future, however.

"I don't feel ready for it yet but never say never," he added. "But up to the 31 August next year, the door's closed as far as I'm concerned."