Colin Montgomerie had a chuckle to himself after being informed of the opening round pairings of the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in Australia.

The USA duo of Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker are set to tackle Australia’s Adam Scott and Korean K J Choi in the standout encounter on day one.

It brings together Scott’s controversial caddy, Steve Williams in the same match as Woods, and just over a week after the New Zealand born caddy apologised to Woods for his racist remarks during the recent WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

Colin Montgomerie wishing Greg Norman and his International Team success this week in Melbourne. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“Very interesting but then that’s what everyone was expecting so there’s certain to be a really big following out with that match,” said Monty on the eve of the Iskandar Johor Open.

Monty was captain of the 2010 victorious European Ryder Cup side that defeated the Americans by one point at Celtic Manor.

But then Monty needed no reminding that the last time Woods and Stricker were paired together in competition the American duo were on the receiving end of a 6 & 5 hiding by Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.

“Tiger and Stricker went down 6 & 5 to Lee and Luke so I can very well remember that,” said Monty smiling.

“It was one of the two Foursomes matches in session three with the two Macs, Rory and Graeme, winning the other.

“That made a six points apiece and the rest they say is history.

“But it would be nice to see Greg and the International Team win as the Presidents Cup is getting a bit like what the Ryder Cup used to be and that was the Americans seemed to be winning all the time.

“The Internationals have only won once before and that was on Royal Melbourne so hopefully this week can be a good omen for them.

“And boy they should do well.  Greg’s got a number of Royal Melbourne specialists in his team.”