Monty outlines Manor mission to regain Ryder Cup

Published on Wednesday 28 January 2009 17:07

COLIN Montgomerie marked his first day as Europe's Ryder Cup captain by warning the United States they only have the trophy on loan.

The 45-year-old Scotsman has been a Ryder Cup hero out on the course in previous years, but in 2010 he intends to steer Europe's finest to glory at Celtic Manor in his new role.

He is determined to instil a winning mentality in his team and Montgomerie was clear about his ambitions as he addressed the challenge of taking on Corey Pavin's American side.

"My message to my players is very easy, we go and claim back the Ryder Cup," said Montgomerie.

"I have been given a task not just to captain this team in Wales but to win back the Ryder Cup in Wales.

"We feel something is missing, the last three captains have had the privilege of sitting with the Ryder Cup in front of them and I don't.

It is my job to make that come true for the following captain in 2012.

"It is a very responsible position that I now hold and with that comes an awful lot of responsibility, but for the European Tour's sake I hope it will end up in victory."

Montgomerie succeeded Nick Faldo as captain following a unanimous decision from the players' tournament committee and described it as "the greatest honour for a European".

Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, who was vice-captain to Faldo in the defeat at Valhalla last September, had been a potential candidate for the job, along with Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam.

But the fact Montgomerie is still a regular fixture on the European

Tour swung the decision firmly the way of the five-time former Ryder Cup winner.

Montgomerie only emerged as a front-runner two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi when Sweden's Henrik Stenson was the first to put his name forward.

He had previously indicated he wanted to return to the team next year to win a ninth cap as a player, and wait until Gleneagles in 2014 to take up the captaincy.

But with Europe now boasting 11 of the world's top 30 and Montgomerie playing alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington each week, it was decided next year was his time after an out-of-touch Faldo failed to inspire a fourth consecutive European victory last year.

"The players changed my mind about playing in 2010," said Montgomerie.

"I have always had huge respect for the players on the European Tour and I've been listening and taking heed of what they've been saying and it just seems the time is right for me to take the helm and be captain.

"With the wealth of talent we have on the European Tour we could field three teams that are as almost as strong as each other. We have new talent emerging and a nucleus of a team, but we have a nucleus of a team that I will be very excited to captain."

Montgomerie made the first of eight Ryder Cup appearances in 1991 under Bernard Gallacher and went on to playing on winning teams in 1995, 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2006.

"This is one of the proudest moments I can think of. I am very proud and honoured to be selected by the committee to be the 2010 Ryder Cup captain," said Montgomerie.

"It's not just an honour but a huge responsibility as well having lost the last Ryder Cup in Valhalla. It is important we do everything we can, and I promise I will do everything he can, to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010."

The eight-time Order of Merit winner has not lost any of the eight singles matches he has played in the Ryder Cup and has won 23.5 points in total, putting him just 1.5 points behind the record held by Faldo.

But he ruled out any prospect of being a playing captain next year.

"All the points I earn as a player for the Ryder Cup will be nullified," he said.

"I will not in any way, shape or form come anywhere near to qualifying for the team.

"I am captain and a very proud and honoured man right now."

Darren Clarke: Monty is tailor-made for captaincy

Darren Clarke believes Colin Montgomerie's superb record in the Ryder Cup made him the ideal candidate for the position of European captain.

Montgomerie was announced this afternoon as Europe's captain for the 2010 competition, which will take place at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales.

He will be charged with the task of regaining the trophy after Europe lost 16.5-11.5 to America in Valhalla last year to bring Europe's nine-year hold on the trophy to an end.

Clarke was part of the 15-man committee which unanimously selected Montgomerie today.

The Ulsterman missed out last year but has played five times in the competition and starred in Europe's nine-point win at the K Club in 2006.

Montgomerie has won 23.5 points as a Ryder Cup player, just 1.5 points behind the record held by Nick Faldo, and Clarke believes this will help him captain the team in Wales.

"He's got an incredible record in the Ryder Cup; he's been the Ryder Cup talisman for many years," Clarke told Setanta Sports News.

"He'll be very player-orientated; he'll take a keen interest in how the players are doing. The fact that he'll be captaining the tour, playing in the team will be an added bonus."

Jose Maria Olazabal's ongoing fitness battle meant he missed out on the chance to lead the Ryder Cup team.

"He's been battling for fitness for quite some time and I'm sure, if Monty asked him, he'd be only too pleased to help out.

"We just hope Jose Maria continues his way back to full health."

Oliver Wilson believes Montgomerie can develop a closer bond with his players than predecessor Nick Faldo.

"He's got a lot of experience and I think the second best Ryder Cup record in the European team's history, but the best thing will be his communication to all the players," Wilson told Sky Sports News.

"Anyone who makes the team will know him really well. Everyone's going to be comfortable with him. He's going to be able to talk to everyone, bring everyone together and put everyone in the right frame of mind.

"Faldo and Montgomerie have two very different personalities," he added.

"Monty is going to be more communicative with the players. Everyone will know him better than Faldo and they may be more comfortable with him because he is younger.

"For me, Nick Faldo was a legend of the game.

"I grew up watching him but I never played alongside him whereas with Colin I have played alongside him for four or five years so I have got to know him and I would feel more comfortable with him just because I have known him for so long and for me that's the best thing.

"That's how I feel and I'm sure it will be the same for anyone else coming into the team."