Colin Montgomerie

European team captain

If the US captain’s biggest problem is his greatest player, Europe’s captain’s biggest problem is himself. That sounds tough but ever since the Open Championship Montgomerie has been on the wrong end of tabloid tittle-tattle. The better news is that Monty has always been his own worst enemy and he has always used the Ryder Cup to rise above the troubles and thrive. The Scotsman remains one of the finest players in history to have failed to win a major, but his record as a player in the Ryder Cup is almost worth as much as one of those treasured titles. In eight appearances he won 20 matches, halved seven and lost nine. Better yet he was unbeaten in eight singles matches (including six wins). Only three men have won more European Tour titles than Monty and his stature in this event is deservedly massive. But he also has a temper and as the tabloid rumours intensify (as they surely will do) can he maintain his dignity and calm? That is the big question.

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