Past captains fear for Monty

Montgomerie: Anxious times

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Former Ryder Cup captains Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam both feel Colin Montgomerie could be serious danger of being overlooked by Nick Faldo for this year's match unless he can produce a run of impressive form over the next few weeks.

Montgomerie is a Ryder Cup stalwart having already featured in eight previous matches and has an almost unrivalled pedigree in the contest.

However, the Scot has endured an indifferent season by his own high standards and is currently some way off securing a place through the qualifying system.

His most likely route into the team now looks like being via one of the captain's two-wildcard selections, with many insisting his experience could prove crucial as Europe head to Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky looking for an unprecedented fourth straight win.

But both Torrance (2002 captain) and Woosnam (2006 captain) have warned that 45-year-old Monty is unlikely to be viewed as an automatic pick by European captain Faldo.

"It's all very well he's been a fantastic team member, but unless he's going to be an asset then you have to think strongly about picking him," Torrance told Sky Sports News.

Woosnam added: "We know how good a player he is and how good he's been for the team, but there's so many good players out there, he's got to perform for the next few weeks to give Nick Faldo someone to pick really."

However, Torrance does feel that if it comes down to a straight decision between Montgomerie and just one other, Faldo will opt for the Scot because of his exceptional match play record.

"If he's got a half a chance of "It's him or Monty", he'll (Faldo) definitely pick Monty, I would think."