Colin Montgomerie wants a strong start

COLIN Montgomerie believes a strong performance from Europe on the opening day of the Royal Trophy today is crucial in order to build up momentum for the remainder of the tournament.

The 46-year-old is combining the roles of captain and player as Europe look to wrest back the trophy from Asia following their disappointing 10-6 defeat last year.

With the competition similar to the Ryder Cup in that it features foursomes, four-ball and singles matches, it gives Montgomerie the ideal chance to test his abilities ahead of the showdown with United States at Celtic Manor in October.

And the eight-time Order of Merit winner believes it is crucial Europe do not find themselves trailing Asia heading into the weekend.

"The Friday here and at the Ryder Cup is the most important day to get some momentum going, take the lead and retain that," said Montgomerie. "To fight back from a deficit is extremely difficult these days, especially with the quality both here and at the Ryder Cup.

"The captain's decisions are most important on the first two days with regards to the pairings. It is my job to get the team playing as a team on the first two days."

Montgomerie has paired himself with Spain's Pablo Martin for today's foursomes and they will be up against Japanese duo Koumei Oda and teenage starlet Ryo Ishikawa.

Ishikawa enjoyed a superb 2009 season during which he won four tournaments and climbed to No 30 in the world, and Montgomerie has likened the 18-year-old to one of Europe's most promising rising stars.

"We have someone in Europe in Rory McIlroy who is a very exciting prospect and you have someone here in Asia who is on that level," he added. "It is very exciting to have Ryo playing in the Royal Trophy this year and I look forward to playing against him and relish the challenge."

As well as Ishikawa, the Asia team features four other players who were part of last year's winning side while Naomichi 'Joe' Ozaki returns as captain. The 53-year-old Ozaki is confident his team has what it takes to stage a successful defence of the trophy.

"I feel more and more comfortable because many of my players have experience of the Royal Trophy and they each know how to play," he said.