Golf-Ryder Cup win would be like ending major drought – Monty (Reuters)
January 1, 2010
By Tony Jimenez
LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) – European Ryder Cup captain ColinMontgomerie said winning the 2010 team event would be likecapturing the major title that has always eluded him.
The 46-year-old Briton has been a major championshiprunner-up five times and often labelled as one of the bestgolfers never to have won the British or U.S. Opens, the U.S.Masters or U.S. PGA.
“It (the Ryder Cup) has been a major part of my career andmy life and hopefully the result goes our way and it will be myown major, albeit without hitting a golf shot,” Montgomeriesaid in an interview with Sky Sports.
“You can’t be a runner-up at the Ryder Cup. Winning itwould be the icing on the cake of my career, my so-called majorwin.”
Montgomerie has a proud playing record in the biennial teamevent, having never lost a singles match in eight appearances.
At the Celtic Manor course in Wales in October, the Scotwill be hoping to wrest the trophy back from skipper CoreyPavin’s U.S. holders.
Montgomerie believes 20-year-old Northern Irishman RoryMcIlroy could have a big impact on the outcome.
“I rate him (McIlroy) very highly,” the captain added.“Apart from Tiger Woods, if I was to pay money to watch agolfer play it would be Rory.
“The way he hits through the ball, the way he plays thegame, his passion for the game, I think it’s tremendous.
“He is only 20 but here is a man with a big, big future.I’m just lucky he’s European and he’ll be on my team,”Montgomerie said.
POULTER WELCOMED
The eight-times European order of merit winner has had theoccasional dispute with the flamboyant Englishman Ian Poulterin the past but said he would welcome the world’s 12th rankedplayer into his team with open arms.
“He has become a confident young man and I want confidentpeople in my team,” Montgomerie added.
“I would talk to him beforehand to integrate him into theteam unity more than possibly he has before, encourage him tobe playing for the team that particular week.
“I want all egos left at the door as they arrive on theMonday. I don’t want one big ego in that team, I want them allto play for each other.”
Poulter was selected on the team as a wildcard in 2008 andjustified then captain Nick Faldo’s confidence in him byemerging as Europe’s leading performer with four points out offive.
“The Americans don’t want to be playing Ian Poulter,”Montgomerie said.
“He is a very good golfer, a great putter and I think hismatchplay strength means he will be a very difficult man tobeat.”
Montgomerie is also looking forward to the possibility ofEdoardo and Francesco Molinari featuring in his side after theItalian brothers won the World Cup in November.
“The Molinaris have done so, so well … (Francesco)especially has become a very good player,” said the Scot.
“I was watching him at the Vivendi Trophy (team event) lastyear and was very impressed. To win the World Cup together wasa stunning achievement.
“I was watching them and if I’m the first to captainbrothers in the Ryder Cup I’ll be thrilled. They will be anobvious pairing too.” (Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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