Poll - Monty got it right

Wildcard picks win readers' approval

Last updated: 31st August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Poll - Monty got it right

Correct call: Colin Montgomerie

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Almost 60 per cent of skysports.com readers believe Europe captain Colin Montgomerie got his Ryder Cup wildcard picks spot on.

The Scot plumped for Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari to take on the USA at Celtic Manor in October ahead of the likes of experienced duo Paul Casey and Justin Rose.

In the skysports.com readers' poll over 58.3 per cent (1,700) agreed with the selections while 41.7 per cent (1,100) felt Monty should have gone in a different direction.

Sky Bet also sees Donald as a key pick, ranking him joint third at 15/2 alongside Germany's US PGA winner Martin Kaymer, to finish as Europe's top points scorer behind joint favourites Lee Westwood and Irish sensation Rory McIllroy, both 6/1

Donald's fellow wildcard picks Harrington (11/1) and Edoardo Molinari (12/1) are also shorter priced to finish as Europe's top points scorer than automatic ranking qualifiers Miguel Angel Jimenez (16/1), Ross Fisher (16/1) and Peter Hanson (28/1).

McIllroy is 9/4 favourite to be the top points scorer among the six rookies in the European team. Swede Hanson is the outsider at 12/1.

Ceremony

Tiger Woods is 1/25 to be selected as one of USA skipper Corey Pavin's four wildcard picks. The recently divorced world number one is rated a 10/1 shot to bring a new partner to the opening ceremony.

Europe are 8/11 favourites to win reclaim the Ryder Cup with USA 6/4 and the tie (14-14) 10/1.

See all Sky Bet's latest Ryder Cup betting markets

Comments (11)

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Rob R says...

Harrington is out of form and has a horrendous record in the Ryder Cup. Building the focal point of your team around him is not sensible in my opinion. I disagree with some other posters who state that the USA wouldn''t want to pick Harrington in the singles - yes they would... yes he has been out in top matches but he hasn''t delivered! Casey would have been a far more intimidating prospect in the singles. You only have to look at his performance earlier this year in the Matchplay (and rest of the year. To nearly make the team whilst being injured for a period of qualifying shows how he has played!)... Sorry but I feel that the Captain and Vice Captains have stitched Casey up. Harrington also choose to play in the US rather than qualify but he still gets a pick. Different people different rules.

Posted 13:00 6th September 2010

Nick Berry says...

My concern with Harrington is two fold. Firstly he is not playing well. Its as simple as that. He has been picked on the basis of passed glories. Secondly, his support for the European Tour is questionnable. Given he had trhe chance to play at Glen Eagles and he chose to play in the US says it all. I would not have picked him on that basis alone and that goes for Donald, Rose and Casey.

Posted 13:12 1st September 2010

Scott Macdougall says...

I think Monty made the correct choice. Paul Casey and Justin Rose could and should have played more golf in Europe if they were desperate to play for the team as they shouldnt rely on a wildcard. Go Europe.

Posted 12:59 1st September 2010

Lets Back the team says...

How can people criticise Harrington...should we not be backing the European team rather than all this negative press. Harrington has had 9 top 10 finishes this year as has Casey (who also hasn''t won either) and more than Rose (who has missed cut at all majors this year). So if his form is poor then so are the others. If they were in form they would have more World Points than Harrington. People seem to forget that Casey has been to 3 Ryder Cups and only one won singles match and only scored 1 point at RC..not a great record either. When it matters Casey chokes just like the open when he tripled bogyed 12th. I think I''d rather have a 3 time major winner who can handle the pressure.

Posted 11:49 1st September 2010

Niall O''rourke says...

Hi All, Do I need to remind everyone that Woosnam was criticised for picking Clarke in 2006 because Thomas Bjorn was higher placed in the World Rankings. Also, Faldo was criticised by many for not taking Clarke in favour of Poulter. Both players excelled for both captains. My view, is Harrington isn''t far from away from his best form and he will justify his selection. Let''s get behind the lads... Come on Europe.

Posted 11:15 1st September 2010

Andrew Byrne says...

I don''t think Monty could justify leaving behind a triple major winner, if Casey or Rose had 3 majors under their belt you can bet Monty would have picked them. E. Molinari was an cert after Sundays performance, and then it was a tossup between the 3 English guys with 2 obviously missing out. If we win, he''s a genius!

Posted 11:04 1st September 2010

Colin D says...

I think Monty got is it spot on, the last spot was probably going to be Paul Casey''s until Eduardo Molinari produced such an excellent finish....he deserves his place after that. As for Harrington, i think that is a no brainer.....if you look at all of the European team; the one player the the americans will not want to come up against is Harrington. Tiger Woods has a poor RC record but would you leave him out.....not likely. Harrington may only have 8.5 out of 21 points but he was always out in the top matches against the best of the Americans. As for Luke Donald, i know his start the last day is not really relevant but i think he deserves his place after missing out the last time. come on europe...!!

Posted 09:44 1st September 2010

Kevin Manta says...

Leaving out Casey is a huge error in judgement. How can you leave out one of the world''s top 10 players ? Rose has also proved himself with his superb performances in the USA. Montgomerie has too centric a view of European golf and that''s to the detriment of the Ryder Cup team.

Posted 08:04 1st September 2010

Keith B says...

Monty got it wrong. Molinari should be in, however Harrington shouldn''t. Harrington didn''t perform at last RC (neither for that matter did Westwood although Faldo got the blame) and his RC record is poor. General form over last 2 seasons has not been up to the level of Casey/Rose. Was there some pay back from Monty after not making the last RC and Casey getting his potential wild card spot. Donald vs Rose is debatable, however Rose probably has his eye on the Fed Ex

Posted 19:03 31st August 2010

Joe Remedios says...

Monty will only be right if the players he has picked win their matches and Europe win the RC. I am concerned with Herrington''s form this year and also that Westwood will not have played a competitive round for almost 2 months. Not the best perparation for the RC.

Posted 17:59 31st August 2010

Don Finlay says...

leaving the no.8 world ranking player out for Harrington is a joke.How many points did he get in the last RC.Hes not on form and has not won a thing this year.I think Monty this will come back and bite you.

Posted 16:28 31st August 2010
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