Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance have backed Colin Montgomerie in his bid to become European Ryder Cup captain.
Torrance also sees Scot as the right choice for Celtic Manor
Former Ryder Cup captains Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance have backed Colin Montgomerie in his bid to become European Ryder Cup captain in 2010.
Europe's Ryder Cup committee are to announce their new skipper in Dubai on Wednesday with Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal the frontrunners for the post.
Gallacher, who captained Europe on three occasions (1991, 1993, 1995), believes Montgomerie would be the ideal candidate to take the role both from a sporting and business point of view.
"From a business side, Monty would be quite important," Gallacher told the
BBC.
"He will pull in sponsors and will keep the competition on the front pages for the next two years.
"I think it is the right decision from a golfing point of view but it is also the right decision for the Ryder Cup.
"In this difficult financial state we are in we cannot take it for certain that it will be a financial success like last Ryder Cups.
"These are unchartered waters that we are in and Monty will be good for the Ryder Cup."
At one point it had seemed that Olazabal was a near certainty to be given the nod, but his insistence on trying to qualify as a player opened the door for Montgomerie.
The Scot initially appeared a reluctant candidate, instead pushing the claims of fellow Scot Sandy Lyle.
Torrance in agreement
However, it is now understood he does want the job at Celtic Manor and, like Gallacher, Torrance sees him as ideal fit.
"I was surprised when Monty made the decision that he would be interested in captaining the side but I think 100% he is the right man for the job," Torrance added.
"He is the right age and wants the job.
"I think he is a Scot and Wales are fellow Celts and it would make sense for him to do it there."
