Monty plumps for Molinari

Harrington, Donald and Molinari handed picks for Celtic Manor

Last updated: 29th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

EUROPEAN RYDER CUP TEAM
L Westwood (Eng)
R McIlroy (NIr)
M Kaymer (Ger)
G McDowell (NIr)
I Poulter (Eng)
R Fisher (Eng)
F Molinari (Ita)
MA Jimenez (Spa)
P Hanson (Swe)
P Harrington (Ire)
L Donald (Eng)
E Molinari (Ita)

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Colin Montgomerie has named Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari as the three wildcard selections for his Ryder Cup team to take on America at Celtic Manor in October.

The Scot made the announcement at Gleneagles following the final round of the Johnnie Walker Championship which was won by Molinari.

Montgomerie also revealed that Sergio Garcia had accepted an invitation to become his fourth vice-captain and would join Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn on his backroom staff.

Montgomerie's decision means that both Paul Casey and Justin Rose will miss out on the match which gets underway on October 1.

The English duo, along with Harrington and Donald had received criticism for failing to return to Europe to play in the final two qualifying events in the Czech Republic and at Gleneagles.

Instead they all chose to play in the first leg of the FedEx Cup play-off series in America, although Donald's decision to return to play in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor in June appears to have worked in his favour.

Harrington, Donald and Molinari join automatic qualifiers Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson on the team.

Stature

Explaining the reasoning behind his picks, Montgomerie said: "Padraig Harrington has won three major championships in the last three years... the stature of Padraig... he is someone we feel that nobody in match play golf wants to play.

"He is a great competitor and someone that will bring everything to the team that we know about European golf.

"Luke Donald has played seven times in Ryder Cup and has lost only once.

"And Edoardo Molinari, what can one say about his performance today? In my time on the European Tour, over 24 years, I have never seen a finish like that. All credit to him, having to win and doing just that."

Asked if had pulled rank over his vice-captains (Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley and Garcia), Montgomerie replied: "I have not managed to pull rank at this stage and that's a good thing.

"I've been very fortunate to have three (and now four) vice-captains. I spoke to Sergio in Spain for his advice this afternoon.

Unanimous

"We are all unanimous in our decision that we have the strongest possible team for Europe."

Montgomerie, responding to how he felt about a European player in the world top 10 (Casey) not making the European team, said: "I don't feel hamstrung by the qualifying process.

"I just want to think positively about the team that we have selected. I think the three picks are strong in every way. We are thinking about pairings.

"Since my day - I was a Ryder Cup rookie in 1991 - I don't think any captain has had the difficulty I have had today picking three from a possible 10.

"It has been fraught in so many ways but watching Edoardo birdie the last three holes, he has made our job very easy for us with his performance today."

Montgomerie went on to claim that it was not the case that Edoardo Molinari had to win at Gleneagles to be one of the three wildcards.

"It made our job easier that he did win but I don't think he had to win. What he did in the first three rounds was enough to show us that this player can handle incredible pressure," he added.

"I don't think I have to tell you who his partner will be in the fourballs or foursomes."

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Comments (76)

Stephen Mayhew says...

Harrington did not turn up for the last Ryder Cup, (along with Garcia and Westwood) when he was in supposedly good form. Is he now likley to plkay well when he is in poor form? I would have had Rose instead as he is more likely to get the best out of Poulter.

Posted 15:59 7th September 2010

Eamonn Od says...

In reply to Bob Ellis as regards Justin Rose not having the bottle, the question is which player would you rather have a 6 footer on Sunday to win the Cup, Harrington or Rose? The team is picked so lets get behind them and hope that we get the right result.

Posted 14:20 3rd September 2010

Bob Ellis says...

What a load of rubbish. Big Colin has made his decision and that is it - for people now to start critising players left out is ridiculas - Eamon Od says Rose hasnt got the bottle. Think back 2 years - 3 pts out of 4. Put your brain in gear before you act. The simple fact is that not everyone can play. My only concern is that watching the golf a few weeks ago I recall a comentator saying that if Moulinari could put he''d be a world beater - I just hope he dosent have a 4 footer on the last on the Sunday to win.

Posted 13:50 31st August 2010

Brian Baldwin says...

I just think we will beat the Americans regardless. Shame Sergio isn't playing though, but he will make a great vice captain. We have a great team... Lee will lead by example.

Posted 17:50 30th August 2010

Gerry Kelly says...

We are where we are. At least Monty had the good sense to pick top class golfers as assistants instead of a Disc Jockey! Mr Faldo, what were you thinking?

Posted 16:04 30th August 2010

Jim Autton says...

Well balanced team. I think I would have picked Casey over Harrington, but you cant argue over the justifications for the picks he''s made. If guys wanted to be sure to be in the team they could have played more in Europe. Please drop the nationalism bias though...from all quarters from what I can see. i dont think it has any part to play in the picks here, only in the bias of the people posting comments

Posted 15:39 30th August 2010

Eamonn Od says...

The guy who should feel lucky is Poulter. If it wasnt for one week, 9 months ago, he wouldnt be near the team, let anyone tell me any different, Would have Casey in there ahead of him any day, Poulter hasnt contended for months. Think Monty has chosen wisely but feel Casey is very unlucky, Rose doesnt have the bottle. Bring on October

Posted 15:20 30th August 2010

Ronan Meagher says...

There seems to be a rumour that Harrington has no form at present, yet he finished 2nd at the Irish open 3 weeks ago and went into the last round of the Barclays well placed. Apart from experience and a better influence in the dressing room, Harringtons scrambling game is much better suited to the expected conditions in Wales in October than Caseys.

Posted 15:04 30th August 2010

Peter Richards says...

I''m surprised not to see Casey in the team unless he''s injured.He would have been an asset and his experience would have helped the team.I''ts nice 2 see Mcelroy,but he could find the pressure to much,just like the tournaments where he has been up with the leaders only to fall well short. But it is nice that he has the chance

Posted 14:05 30th August 2010

Eddie Cowan says...

Would somebody bury Andy Cox in a bunker! Monty''s picks are bang on. Anyone who says Casey should have been picked is WRONG. He relied on a pick last time and his performance was dreadful, have you all conveniently forgotten that? Rose wilters on the big occasions and doesn''t have the stature of Harrington

Posted 12:48 30th August 2010

Chris Catton says...

Gees what wrong with you lot, I beleive we have a great team and the most sucsesfull player in Europe his Ernie Els 25 Mil Price money, and the secound is the Captain Monty 23 Mil, 3rd Westy 22 Mil, and 4th Padraig 21 Mil, We can''t have the first 2 But surly we need the secound 2. From an English man come on Monty.

Posted 12:06 30th August 2010

Caeliv Donnelly says...

If Monty thought this ws difficult. Lets see him pick 8 players out of 12 to play over the two days. Endless combinations.

Posted 11:13 30th August 2010

Richard Sumner says...

If I am correct Monty is the captain and therefore allowed to pick who he likes so it makes not a jot what we think. I would like to wish them all the best and personally think we have a good balanced team with youth and experience in equal measures. I just hope it lives up to the previous ten or so matches which have been truly brilliant spectacles covered expertly by Sky.

Posted 10:48 30th August 2010

Conor K says...

3 reasons why Padraig was picked.(1) Apart from Westwood and Jimenez,Padraig is the only Ryder Cupper to have played in more than 3 Ryder Cups.(2)Harrington is respected by all the European players,aswell as all the American players.No one will have an easy match against Padraig.(3)He''s got 3 Majors,Rose and Casey have none...form is temporary,class is permanent.Lets hope Europe win.

Posted 10:43 30th August 2010

Derek Field says...

Molinari was a great pick - for the Team and for Italy, the two brothers will make a perfect pairing - they behave like true gentlemen and will be a credit to Europe. BTW they are not the first brothers to play in the Ryder Cup - Bernard Hunt (who taught me to play at Fox Hills) and his brother were in the team in the ''60s, Bernard, I believe was captain. I like Luke Donald''s attitude as well - a good pick, if Casey wants to be included in the future he needs to think a little more about being a team member and less about chasing money. Lets have a great Ryder Cup and hope everyone behaves like true golfing gentlemen.

Posted 10:38 30th August 2010

Finbar Dunne says...

Will all you English get off your high horse. Monty was named as captain because we know he won''t let us down and he has picked the right team.

Posted 09:38 30th August 2010

Mark M says...

It shows the arrogance of the english sport fans when the didnt for a second consider that casey might be overlooked. I wonder if westwood had had the same season this year as harrington would everyone be asking for him to be left out? - not a chance, and westwood hasnt even won a major. well done to monty for thinking outside the box. the wild card picks are there for picking from the players that are left that gives us the best chance to win.

Posted 09:31 30th August 2010

Andy Black says...

Ryder pick - sorry Monty but picking Harrington above Casey (great match player) and Rose (in form) was a mistake and smells of i have 2 irish vice capts. Harrington might have the stature but when you look at his Ryder record the US arent going to be quaking in their boots. He is now under presure to perform..oh oh

Posted 08:36 30th August 2010

Stephen Griffiths says...

Harrington has always played crap in the RC, his driving has been woeful this season. Never mind COME OF EUROPE!!

Posted 06:36 30th August 2010

Aaron Anthony says...

I think we have a great team. I feel sorry for Paul & Justin but if they really wanted to qualify automatically, they should have played more in Europe. Padraig is a bit of a surprise but still a good pick. I do think Monty could have delayed his decision until the Monday given some of the picks were actually playing in Barclays and it must of been quite distracting.

Posted 06:23 30th August 2010

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