Monty will be keeping a captain's eye on Langer

Published on Wednesday 9 September 2009 22:56

COLIN Montgomerie will be taking a close-up view today of a player he does not rule out handing a Ryder Cup wild card to next year – 52-year-old Bernhard Langer.

Europe's current and former captains are partners in the opening round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne.

"I've not played with Bernhard for a couple of years, but I know he's here to win because I know how competitive he is," said Montgomerie. "As a foursomes partner, you could do a lot worse. I'm looking at every eligible player, and that includes him."

Langer would become the oldest player in Ryder Cup history if he was selected, and Montgomerie said:

"He has kept himself in shape – and if you talk about the most professional player in golf over the last 30 years he would come top of the list in every aspect."

Langer himself said: "I've been playing some of my better golf the last three years, that's for sure. I'm not as strong or as flexible, but technically I think my swing is getting better. I've become more consistent, and my putting is at times better too."

With a field of only 78 this week, Langer might never have a better chance of becoming the oldest winner in European Tour history.

He won the title on the same Gut Larchenhof course eight years ago, and a number of stars are missing this time.

The two highest-ranked players present are Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood, while Stenson's fellow Swede Alex Noren looks to continue the form he showed in winning the first Ryder Cup qualifying event in Switzerland last weekend.

Aberdeen's Paul Lawrie will also fancy his chances of challenging for the title.