Monty looking at Langer

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Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has said he would consider picking Bernhard Langer as a wild card for Celtic Manor.

Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has said he would consider picking Bernhard Langer as a wild card at Celtic Manor, even though the German has not played regular tour golf for several years.

According to a Sky Sports report, Montgomerie believes, the 53-year-old is currently in “the form of his life” having won both the British Seniors Open and the US Seniors Open in the last three weeks.

Langer, who played the last of his ten Ryder Cups at The Belfry in 2002, now competes on the seniors Champions Tour in America.

The two-time Masters champion also served as non-playing captain when Europe beat the United States to win the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, Michigan.

Montgomerie believes Langer’s vast Cup experience could be invaluable to a Europe team which looks as if it will contain at least four rookies.

“I would not rule out picking Bernhard,” Montgomerie said. “I’m not ruling out anybody, especially someone who has performed to that degree and is in the form of his life.”

Montgomerie said he was impressed with Langer’s performance in beating local favourite Fred Couples for the US Seniors Open title in Seattle after travelling eight time zones following his win at Carnoustie.

“He (Langer) said afterwards that he used everything he had learned in the Ryder Cup to overcome a very vocal home support and I think it wouldn’t be such a dramatic move to have someone of that age and that experience in the team,” the Scot added.

“It wouldn’t be such an out-of-the-blue pick. I think he’s playing as well as he ever has and he’s said he is. And I know through having played with Bernhard Langer that he is as good a partner as anyone could ever have.”

Montgomerie has one more month to finalise his team, with the Cup contested between October 1st and 3rd.

He might not have the services of European number one and World number three Lee Westwood, who pulled out of the Bridgestone Invitational after two rounds Friday with a calf injury.

Westwood says he will need at least six weeks of rest and treatment before he can return to golf.

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