Westwood favours Monty for Ryder

Published on Sunday 25 January 2009 22:11

EUROPE can count themselves one up before they start next year's Ryder Cup, if they select Colin Montgomerie as their captain at Celtic Manor.

That is Lee Westwood's advice for the tournament committee, who are expected to make their decision next week – with Scot Montgomerie and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal the two likeliest contenders.

Westwood believes both have the credentials to be outstanding captains – but prefers Montgomerie for next year in Wales, and then Olazabal for the return fixture in the US.

"Colin is known for the way he has played in Ryder Cup. He would stand on the first tee – and seeing he is there with his fantastic Cup record... it would feel like being one up to start with," Westwood predicted on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek.

"To me, it makes sense to have Colin the first time and then Jose Maria in America. They would both be 47 years old when they did it – that would make most sense to me."

&#149 Andrew Coltart secured his first top-ten finish in three years on the European Tour at the Qatar Masters. He closed with a level-par 72 for an 11-under 277 to share seventh place. Spain's Alvaro Quiros won by three strokes with a 69 for 269. Stephen Gallacher was 16th on 279, with Paul Lawrie six shots further back.