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Monty - I'd pick Pod and Luke
Scot looking for stars to shine in coming weeks
By Ben Sullivan Last updated: 4th July 2008 
Montgomerie: second last week
If there was three picks you might think I would get selected, but I am not the only player of so-called standing that is outside that group right now.
Colin Montgomerie
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Colin Montgomerie has admitted he would not pick himself as a Ryder Cup wildcard if the team was selected now.
The eight-time European number one has been a feature on the European team since 1991 and has a superb record of 20 wins and just nine defeats in eight matches.
But his form has dipped over the past 12 months and he is currently 14th on the European Points List, although second place at last week's French Open has boosted his chances.
Asked ahead of this week's European Open who he would pick as his two wildcards if he was in captain Nick Faldo's shoes, Montgomerie told Sky Sports News: "I would pick Donald and Harrington. Now, if there was three picks you might think I would get selected, but I am not the only player of so-called standing that is outside that group right now.
"So I hope that Harrington and Donald really play well and make their way themselves into the team and give me the opportrunity. But right now you would have to pick Harrington and Donald ahead of me if it was picked tomorrow."
Tough job
With huge amounts of Ryder Cup points on offer at big-money tournaments over the coming weeks, the Scot is hoping that plenty of Europe's stars can play their way onto the team for Valhalla.
"There are a number that aren't in that you would expect to be," he added. "If you looked at the top 12 or the top 10 right now, Nick would have a real tough job. There are a number of big events coming up. There are two majors, a World (Golf Championship) event - the cream usually rises in these sort of situations.
"I am talking about Harrington and Donald and Casey and Garcia and all these guys that are just on the fringe. If they all make the team, yes, I have more of an opportunity."
Montgomerie will be defending his European Open title at the London Club this week and with a prize fund of £2.4million on offer, has a chance to play himself further into contention for September's match in Kentucky.
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Comments (10)
Tony Parsons says...
What a revelation, Ian Poulter's steadfast refusal to be drawn by Mark Roe on Golf Night in respect of 'Faldo's picks'. Ian is a great player who in a short career to date has achieved a great deal, he is prepared to work hard on both Tours, he is the sort of colourful character needed in the game. I hope his performances over the coming weeks will ensure his automatic qualification for the team, but if he falls short I think Nick Faldo will have Ian firmly in his sights as a Captain's pick considering his close association with the PGA tour and, of course, he has the experience of already playing in the Ryder Cup. If Harrington, Donald, Casey, Chopra all fail to make the team by right it will be a tough task for Nick and I cannot see him extending his list as far as Monty
Posted 07:43 4th July 2008
Brian O'sullivan says...
Monty should not be talking about others qualifyng. He should concrentrate on himself. Faldo does'nt like Monty and never has, so he is unlikely to pick him unless he is playing fantastic golf. True, Monty has started playing better recently but I wouldnt mind if he didnt make the team. All this Field Marshall Mongomerie talk gets a bit anoying after 5 minutes. Their are other players on the team with arguably more feared reputations in world golf than him. Garcia (multiple winner in USA), Harrington (Open Champ) to name but 2.
Posted 13:52 3rd July 2008
Chris Ellery says...
Swinging well for 1 competition and coming second does not merrit a place in the Team. Neither does throwing your teddy out of the pram and blaming every 1 around you for disstractions. The old boy of the team has not been setting a good example to the youngsters. Unless he has a good win in the next month or so he has to be dismissed by Faldo.
Posted 10:04 3rd July 2008
Mark Crncich says...
When o when are the British media going to finally give up on Monty? Outside of his great record in the Ryder Cup, what has he done, nothing. Finishing near the top in a secondary event on a weak tour equates to nothing. His over-sized ego, attitude and ranking has belied his results in tournament play. Send all your young guns out there and the Euros should take the Tiger-less Americans again.
Posted 22:20 2nd July 2008
Stewart Ibbotson says...
I just hope Nick Faldo doesn't do a Mark James and exclude people because he does not like them eg Faldo himself at Brookline. James picked his mate Andrew Coltart instead and proceeded to only play him in the singles, not a very good Captain's pick, eh? So Nick must pick on merit and take personalities out of it, we want to win again and I'm sure Nick is on the same wavelength as all the supporters out there.
Posted 17:52 2nd July 2008
Tony Parsons says...
What a nightmare!! Monty's comments about the 'wildcard' selections for the Ryder Cup are self-centered and totally inappropriate. He is currently 13th in the European Tour list, by virtue of his finish in France, and he lies 32nd in the World Ranking list. The top five from each list makes up the core of the team which by my reckoning means that there are 7 players and 26 players from the two lists respectively who would expect to be considered as a wildcard selection before Monty if that selection were made today. He should concentrate on getting into the team on merit and forget analysing his prospects of being selected by Nick Faldo.
Posted 16:43 2nd July 2008
Hugh Gillogley says...
As always big Monty speaks the truth, he is a true gentleman. I fully expect him to play his way into the team, you just can't say enough of the man and his will to win. Come on Monty!!!
Posted 16:27 2nd July 2008
John Halliday says...
I really hope Monty is right and that is the 2 wildcard selections. Hopefully Monty won't need a pick, his golf last week was fantastic - back to the level we all expect from him. His Ryder Cup record is fantastic and with him in the tean we are already at least a point up. Maybe Faldo is scared Monty will overtake him in the points standings?
Posted 15:13 2nd July 2008
Steve Illidge says...
The Ryder Cup without Monty would be like Morecombe & Wise without Morecombe! No way! Faldo has to pick the Scot over other wildcard contenders. Let's hope that Monty does the business in the next few events and saves Faldo the decision.
Posted 15:13 2nd July 2008
Barry Williams says...
Typically honest comments from Monty. I would pick him in the team because of his record and the fact that the Americans are frightened of him in Ryder Cups. Remember when Scott Hoch capitulated at the Belfry in the first singles 2002? That set the tone for Europe's victory. Monty is swinging the club as well as ever. I hope Faldo doesn't ignore him on personality grounds. Anyway, I expect the big man to win this week or next (or even the Open) and play his way onto the team.
Posted 14:51 2nd July 2008