'Monty won't return as captain'

Last updated: 4th January 2013

Padraig Harrington believes it would be "madness" for Colin Montgomerie to return for a second stint as Ryder Cup captain.

With the United States bringing back Tom Watson for the 2014 edition at Gleneagles, there have been suggestions that Europe could break their "unwritten rule" of not asking a former captain to return.

Former British Open champion Darren Clarke and Ireland's Paul McGinley are the front-runners to replace Jose Maria Olazabal, but the former has suggested that Montgomerie could be asked to captain again.

"We seriously need the right man for the job," Clarke said.

"We do have an (unwritten) rule where we don't ask anybody to do it again, but we might have to look at that."

However, three-time major winner Harrington believes the chances of Montgomerie returning are pretty low after the strain he took last time out.

"There's not a chance, after what he went through last time, that Colin would ever take the captaincy again," the 41-year-old told Reuters in an interview.

"He puts so much more on the line than anybody else - it would be madness for him. He's had a great Ryder Cup playing career, he's been a successful captain - why risk all that?

"I can't see in any shape or form him agreeing to do it again."

Montgomerie skippered Europe to victory in 2010 at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and Harrington feels coming back and losing would take the shine off his career.

"I had a long chat with Monty the evening we won the Ryder Cup in 2010," he said. "I could see the relief Colin had when he won.

"I don't think he quite realised until then the enormity of being captain for him. Most players who take the captaincy, whether they win or lose, it doesn't change people's perception of their overall career.

He added: "Monty's career though is based on his eight order of merit wins and his Ryder Cup performances.

"By taking the captaincy he's putting far more on the line than anybody else because it would be hard to mention that he's unbeaten in the singles in the competition but, oh, he's also a losing captain as well. That would take the shine off his great record."

The players committee will meet during the Abu Dhabi Championship from January 17-20 to decide who will replace Spain's Olazabal.