Colin Montgomerie believes Portugal and Spain's warm climate could aid their chances of hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup match.
Scot believes climate will play a part in decision for 2018 venue
Colin Montgomerie believes that the warm climate offered by Portugal and Spain could prove a significant factor when the decision is taken on which country will host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Five countries are in the running to host the 2018 match; France, Germany, Holland, Portugal and their neighbours Spain.
Montgomerie, who led Europe to a dramatic victory over America at Celtic Manor earlier this month, believes the Southern European countries could have an advantage over their rivals given the fine weather they could offer.
Heavy rain marred this year's contest in Wales, forcing a significant change in the scheduling of the event and also a first-ever Monday finish.
Whilst stressing he did not favour any one of the bids over another, Monty acknowledged climate concerns could now be a significant factor for organisers.
"The one advantage the southern countries have - in Spain and in Portugal of course - is the weather," stated the Scot.
"We had difficulty of course with the weather in Wales. It actually favoured us in the end but it wasn't great to have to finish on the Monday.
"It would be great to have the Ryder Cup in any of those countries, I can't favour any one but it's great that Portugal has put its name in the hat."
Europe and America will resume their rivalry at Medinah Country Club in Illinois in 2012 before heading to Gleneagles in Scotland for the 2014 match.
Montgomerie went on to acknowledge that Portugal held special memories for him as it was the scene of his first tournament victory in 1989.
