Places in Monty's team going fast

By Andrew Mullen, Press Association Sport Last updated: 9th February 2010

Colin Montgomerie joked last week in Dubai that as the new Ryder Cup captain he had received a lot more Christmas cards than he ever had before.

And with places in Montgomerie's 12-man team for October's showdown with the United States at Celtic Manor quickly being filled up, a note should be made of June 23 - the date of the Scot's 47th birthday.

That is also the day before the start of the BMW International Open in Germany so for the likes of Volvo World Match Play Champion Ross Fisher, big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and even three-time cup winner Sergio Garcia, a note of that milestone in Montgomerie's life could prove beneficial.

World number 15 Garcia has plenty of time to buck his ideas up to secure a sixth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, but with Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter well on the way to locking up four of the nine of the automatic qualification places, the Spaniard is the biggest name who should dig out his diary.

Throw in Paul Casey, seemingly returning to form following last year's rib injury with strong showings in Qatar and Dubai in recent weeks, and Qatar Masters winner Robert Karlsson, and that cuts the magic number to just three.

Add three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, dcespite his missing the cut on his seasonal debut in the Northern Trust Open last week, and Henrik Stenson into the mix, and that potentially leaves just one automatic spot left.

And with evergreen Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez significantly boosting his chance of a fourth appearance by beating Westwood in a thrilling play-off at last week's Dubai Desert Classic, that could leave only Montgomerie's three wild cards up for grabs.

That does not take in consideration a push from the likes of Fisher, Quiros - who is maturing nicely in the eyes of Montgomerie - Ross McGowan, Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and 2008 debutant Graeme McDowell.

And with bids also being made by the likes of Simon Dyson, Alexander Noren and Oliver Wilson, the date, June 23, could, in fact should, be making its way into the diaries of many of Europe's Ryder Cup wannabes.

Andrew Mullen, Press Association Sport