Victorious Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie has issued a blunt warning to those U.S. Tour based Europeans declaring they run a huge risk of missing out on competing in next year’s Ryder Cup team.
Colin Montgomerie speaking on the eve of the Johnnie Walker Championship - one of six colourful snaps of Monty. (Photos by www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The 2012 Ryder Cup qualifying process begins next week but Monty says the likes of Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, struggling Padraig Harrington and even Scotland’s Martin Laird could be hard pressed to qualify for Jose Maria Olazabal’s Medinah side.
Twelve months ago Monty found himself over a barrel and forced to pick Johnnie Walker Championship winner, Edoardo Molinari, Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington as his three ‘wildcard’ picks.
Molinari gave Monty little option having birdied Gleneagles closing three holes to become the first player ever to win both the Barclays Scottish Open and Johnnie Walker Championship double.
It was then a choice between Harrington, Rose, Donald and Casey.
Monty went for Harrington and Donald as his second and third picks, and much to the disappointment of Casey.
And with the wildcard picks now back to two, Monty’s says the situation for the likes of those based in the U.S. will be the same, and if not tougher, next year.
“The scenario doesn’t change but with just two wildcard picks it does become a greater percentage chance of being selected,” said Monty.
“Last year Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer had won Majors, and Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy earned all their points in America.
“So it was very difficult for an American-based played to make that team last year with only the leading four being chosen.
“That scenario might not happen again, and the choice might be more open. But if you do base yourself in America, you are taking a risk to make the Ryder Cup Team.
“I think that some players last year didn’t believe the risks involved in not making it into the top nine qualifiers.
“But then it’s quite straightforward. You have a qualification process, and if you don’t make the top ten, you are going to have to rely on a pick.
“And any player is wrong to think they will get a pick.
“So if you are not in the top ten, if you have not qualified, you are at risk, simple as that.”
And included in Monty’s Ryder Cup warning is Laird with the Colorado-based Scot hampering his effort so making the European Team with a decision not to rejoin the European Tour till the commencement of 2012.
The newly married Laird can’t rejoin the Tour next week, so as to be eligible for Ryder Cup points, as under European Tour guidelines there is no way he can play the mandatory 13 events this year.
Monty said: “It’s unfortunate for Martin that he couldn’t commit to the minimum number of European Tour events this year.
“But at the same time, Edoardo Molinari managed to make my team by starting from a Challenge Tour situation in January.
“He proved to captain, me, that he was capable of playing The Ryder Cup, and it’s up to Martin Laird now to do what Edoardo Molinari did and win three times, and get as close as he possibly can to qualifying, and make sure he’s one of those two picks of Olazabal’s, if he doesn’t already qualify himself.
“So Martin’s left if difficult, extremely difficult, joining the Tour in January.
“But I wish him well, of course. It would be nice to see some Scottish representation again in the Ryder Cup. It’s been since 2006 since a Scot has represented the team, and that’s too long.”
Monty is returning to competition for a first occasion since sharing 31st place in the rain-shortened Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
Since then he’s been tied up with corporate commitments as well as working for SKY Sports in commentating at The Open and also the recent PGA Championship in Atlanta.
He said: “It’s the longest gap I’ve ever had not playing in my career, in the middle of a season.
“I missed The Open for the first time in 21 years, and I also missed playing the Bridgestone and the U.S. PGA, so that was difficult.
“But I have kept an eye on things as I was down at The Open and I was in Atlanta for the U.S. PGA with SKY Sports, so I have kept an eye out on things going on.
“Even though I am no longer captain, I can continue looking and watching and being interested in new talent coming through, which of course is extreme here in Europe, as it is in America now.
“So while it has been difficult for me, no question, it’s a very exciting time.”
This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Johnnie Walker Championship, and it’s only regular Scottish Tour event Monty hasn’t won.
Twenty-five Scots, and with the exception of two, will tee-up vying for the £233,330 first prize cheque.
