Monty names vice-captains

Three Ryder Cup stalwarts will help in bid to regain trophy

Last updated: 20th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

This is a team, these four of us here have huge respect from the European Tour members and from the 12 players who will play in the Ryder Cup. There will be no more vice-captains, these are the three that will help me hopefully regain Ryder Cup.

Colin Montgomerie
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Colin Montgomerie has named Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley as his Ryder Cup vice-captains.

McGinley and Bjorn were expected to be in the Scot's back-up staff for the match at Celtic Manor, while Clarke is something of a surprise.

But the 41-year-old Ulsterman, hero of the 2006 victory only a month after his wife Heather died of breast cancer, has agreed to come on board.

Montgomerie and Clarke were team-mates in five matches, winning four of them. Clarke's first game at Valderrama in 1997 was with the Scot as his fourball partner and they beat Fred Couples and Davis Love on the last.

It was thought Montgomerie might decide to go for a Welshman - Phillip Price was the most likely candidate - but instead he has increased the Irish presence.

Clarke's fellow Ulstermen Rory McIlroy and US Open champion Graeme McDowell are certain starters in the match and McGinley's fellow Dubliner Padraig Harrington is one of the favourites for a wild card, although he still has time to qualify automatically.

McGinley and Bjorn have both been involved in three matches and finished on the winning side each time.

Successful

McGinley, 43, sank the winning putt on his debut eight years ago and then was part of the successful 2004 and 2006 teams.

Bjorn won his first cap in the 1997 victory at Valderrama, coming back from four down to halve his singles with then Open champion Justin Leonard.

He missed the defeat in Boston two years later, but played his part alongside McGinley at The Belfry in 2002 and in 2004 was one of Bernhard Langer's assistants as Europe won by by a record nine points in Detroit.

Making the announcement at Wentworth, Montgomerie said: "Any winning team has fantastic support behind the scenes and it is a great pleasure to introduce three experienced, passionate and well-respected people, people committed to regaining the Ryder Cup here in Wales.

"Thomas Bjorn has 16 victories worldwide and was the first Dane to play in the Ryder Cup, and captained the Europe side in the Vivendi Trophy last year. He has had past experience as a vice-captain at 2004 under Bernhard Langer and will bring passion to his role.

"We're delighted Darren is with us on this occasion and last but by no means least we have Paul McGinley. Paul is a European Tour committee member and who can forget the scenes in 2002 when he sank the winning putt at The Belfry for Sam Torrance's team?

Respect

"This is a team, these four of us here have huge respect from the European Tour members and from the 12 players who will play in the Ryder Cup. There will be no more vice-captains, these are the three that will help me hopefully regain Ryder Cup."

Even though Montgomerie has tripled the number of assistants Nick Faldo felt were needed in Kentucky two years ago - along with vice-captain Jose Maria Olazabal, Faldo's other main 'helpers' were his son Matthew and radio presenter DJ Spoony - opposite number Corey Pavin has gone for four.

The US skipper will have beaten 2006 captain Tom Lehman, probable next captain Davis Love, Jeff Sluman and Paul Goydos - the man who shot 59 at the John Deere Classic two weeks ago - alongside him.

Comments (16)

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Wayne Byrne says...

Personally, I think Garcia shouldn''t go. His form in the last number of Ryder Cups has been abysmal. Stewart Cink took him to the cleaners in 2006 in the singles, beating him 4 and 3 and Anthony Kim gave him a worse beating in 2008, 5 and 4. Garcia''s game hasn''t been there since the near misses at the Open and the PGA. Monty will definitely pick Harrington if he doesn''t qualify automatically although he probably doesn''t merit it on current form. Justin Rose would also be a definite pick. It''s time to give the young guys a go; Rhys Davies should travel, one of the best putters I''ve seen in a long time. Being Welsh would definitely bring the crowd alive. Alvaro Quiros would bring a bit of crowd-pleasing flair as well and would compete with JB Holmes and Dustin Johnson in the bash-it-up-the-middle competition. You could pick any of 10 guys just outside the automatic places right now and the team wouldn''t be weakened. It''s a great place to be for Monty and I hope we bring the cup home to Europe. Roll on Celtic Manor.

Posted 16:10 26th July 2010

Yen chong Yap says...

Well, having too much talent in the European pool may be a problem for Mr. Monty but it is much better than nothing to pick from. I would like to see the European Ryder team comprise of a mixture, players from as many countries as possible though some may not qualify for selection. Having too many from the British Isles may create some unexpressd ill-feelings and lack of fans' support from other European nations

Posted 14:11 24th July 2010

James Logue says...

The trouble with players like Kaymer and Molinari etc is that they're robotic players, who can't really produce any magic. Garcia can do it... although I agree he is not playing great, he seems to be improving. I just hope it doesn't take too long. I wouldn't mind seeing Chris Wood in there, I definitely think we need to keep 2-3 young players in early. Struggling to think of people past McIlroy, Westwood and Jimenez.

Posted 09:43 23rd July 2010

Gary Bolton says...

Garcia is an absolute stone wall banker to get a captains pick due to his exceptional matchplay record, and Kaymer is a consistent winner who has a lot of bottle and must also be a captains pick if he is on the fringes

Posted 09:54 22nd July 2010

Roger Thomas says...

Sergio isn't playing the golf he is capable of at the minute and shouldn't make the team. Last ryder cup his a-game didn't even win him a game (2 halfs). Great vice captains monty

Posted 09:20 21st July 2010

Lee Hewitt says...

Not sure I agree that leaving Clarke out of the last RC team was a key factor that led to us losing. Team morale is never higher at a Ryder Cup (on both both sides) and besides, Clarke's wild card place 2 years ago went to Poulter, who more than justified his place. Personally I thought he was our best player.

Posted 08:51 21st July 2010

Steve G says...

Why should Sergio be picked? He is not playing anywhere near his best, and lets not forget his performance in the last Ryder Cup on the final day!! There are too many in form players loitering just outside qualification for a reason, they are playing well on a regular basis and they should not be overlooked because of sentiment. Lets welcome in the new breed and back them 100% because that is what their form dictates....excellent choice of vice captains and I am wishing the team all the best, whoever the final 12 may be they will give 100% as they always do.

Posted 08:22 21st July 2010

Thomas Greene says...

well done monty on your selection, excellent choices as vice captains we know you will only pick the very best team

Posted 18:07 20th July 2010

Philip Boulton says...

I am sorry but Sergio is defenitely out of sorts and needs a break, l am also uncertain as to Molinari and Kaymer their are better proven Ryder Cup performers just on the fringes of qualification that should be picked Darren Clarke for one but if Vice-captain is what monty wants him for then so be it, the debate could go on as to who shoulb be in, how good is that, their are players who just cannot be ignored and they are mainly British which is even better so Proud to be an Englishman who loves Golf seeing the Brits doing so well it has been a while in coming but they have hit a rich vein of form at more or less the same time, what a lovely headache for Monty to have.

Posted 15:33 20th July 2010

Daniel Wilkins says...

Does this mean Darren Clarke cannot participate in the actual matches? If so, thats a suprise as Clarke is looking like he might make the team. If not, it's an excellent choice.

Posted 13:54 20th July 2010

Colin Robertson says...

Well done to Monty for picking 3 such passionate, well respected players who are all in the current domain. I would love to see Darren playing, but his experience will be invaluable in either role. A thousand good lucks Monty, I hope you and your team do the business.

Posted 13:27 20th July 2010

Eddie Cowan says...

Well done Monty for guaranteeing Clarke's involvement this time round, he should never have been overlooked by Faldo at the last Ryder Cup. I think the whole team knew that and it affected their spirit and their performance. This recitifies an injustice and I'm sure we'll go on to win this time.

Posted 13:23 20th July 2010

Paul Gibson says...

I agree, Sergio has to be picked, purely on his past record, the guy brings his A game every time he dons the european jersey! Harrington may well find he doesn't get selected, but the strength in depth of golf in Europe lately means there are only a handful of players guaranteed spots. A good headache for monty and the team no doubt!

Posted 13:13 20th July 2010

Andrew Inglis says...

I agree with the train of thought that a Welshman, ie Price should have been chosen as vice captain, also i would have hopefully preferred if Clarke was playing, a wild card choice even, his passion and desire for this competition shows no end especially after 2006, his vast experience would also help what looks like a very youthful line up going on current standings, he would be great for McIlroy especially if the wind blows down in Wales in October.

Posted 12:25 20th July 2010

Conor Murphy says...

Nice to see Paul McGinley back.

Posted 12:15 20th July 2010

Eric Pepper says...

Great Pics Colm. It will be nice to see Darren there again even though he isnt playing...Personally I don't think Harrington should get a Captains pick. He is out of form and his matchplay isnt all too good. Now Sergio on the other hand is playing really bad as late but has a sensational record in the Ryder Cup - i'd give him a wild card

Posted 12:08 20th July 2010
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