TRUST a Tyke to pick a petty fight.

Grumpy, grouchy Mark James deserved to fall on his sword and resign as Ryder Cup vice-captain.

And Nick Faldo has every right to demand further action by the European Tour.

Just as in Glenn Hoddle's book about the World Cup and Alex Ferguson's autobiography, James crossed the boundary between the public interest and interesting the public.

And, of course, the motive was to sell his book, 'Into The Bear Pit' -- the inside track on last year's Ryder Cup.

He betrayed the confidences of his own camp -- a sacrilege in any sport.

So nothing Faldo now does in retaliation could ever harm the chances of the European team for next year's event as much as James's ill-considered rantings. The row blew up after Faldo had stated that Colin Montgomerie was playing in the comfort zone by not pitting his skills on the American Tour, a fact that Monty has all but accepted.

Then, when Faldo sent a good luck message of support, James threw it in the bin.

That seems to me like the kind of man-management support that next year's skipper Sam Torrance could well do without.

But the petty squabbling which has split golf down the middle highlights another disease infecting a world of sport already overflowing with greed.

Honesty that leads to a genuine insight into the machinations of professional sport is to be encouraged, in any form.

But the more governing bodies attempt to prevent plain speaking through restrictive rules and regulations -- cricket is the prime example -- then the more sports stars will turn to methods which produce personal profit.

When those revelations betray the confidences of existing colleagues, then it can only end in tears.

And I, for one, do not mourn the downfall of Mark James.