Ryder Cup captain Monty won't underestimate US
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie insists his team will not be underestimating the United States in the run-up to the Ryder Cup.
The US still possess the top two players in the world rankings in Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson but Europe's finest appear to be way ahead of their American counterparts on current form as the balance of power in golf shifts across the Atlantic.
Europeans filled four of the top five positions at last week's British Open at St Andrews, while Graeme McDowell recently became the first European to win the US Open in 40 years when the Northern Irishman finished ahead of France's Gregory Havret at Pebble Beach.
England's Justin Rose also recently won two tournaments on the USPGA Tour, only narrowly missing out on a third.
And although the US regained the Ryder Cup in 2008, Europe have won five of the last seven events and are favourites to be victorious again in October at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.
Yet Montgomerie believes it is always a level playing field when it comes to the Ryder Cup.
"There is no complacency, there is no over-confidence here," he said.
"We know these matches are very, very close. You only have to look back at the record win that Europe had in 2004 in America - 11 matches went to the last hole and we happened to win nine of them.
"If that was the opposite way round, we wouldn't have won by a record margin, we would have lost that Ryder Cup. That's how close these matches are.
"We're under no illusions at all about how difficult this task will be to attempt to regain the Ryder Cup."
On paper, the European team is overflowing with in-form talent and the list of those players set to miss out on selection is almost as impressive as those who are currently in the nine automatic qualifying positions.
The likes of Rose, world number eight Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington and Henrik Stenson could all be leaning on Montgomerie for wild cards next month - when the Scot announces his 12-man team following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
"I could pick two teams that could beat each other on any given day," Montgomerie said.
"Our players have performed brilliantly worldwide and there are issues that need to be addressed with some world stars not already qualified within the team.
"Those picks right now are the biggest headache we have. But it's a very positive headache."
By announcing Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley as his vice-captains, Montgomerie has surrounded himself with friends who have numerous experiences of winning and retaining Ryder Cups over the past decade.
The trio of assistants have been popular members of the European Tour down the years and Montgomerie will be hoping they can help generate a positive, feel-good atmosphere during the October 1-3 match.
While appearing at first something of an old pals' act, Montgomerie insists the selection of the three stalwarts came after much deliberation.
"I've spoken at length to all six of the captains I've played under," said Montgomerie, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups.
"I've learnt a lot. Respect is number one, experience is number two, passion for the Ryder Cup commitment to try to win this cup back is number three.
"All three vice-captains fall under every category there. There are four of us here that are going to make decisions from now on, not just me."
McGinley was also looking forward to playing his part in Montgomerie's team.
"Hopefully we can make some really good decisions and press home the advantage the world rankings suggest we have," the Irishman said.
Tell a friend
The US still possess the top two players in the world rankings in Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson but Europe's finest appear to be way ahead of their American counterparts on current form as the balance of power in golf shifts across the Atlantic.
Europeans filled four of the top five positions at last week's British Open at St Andrews, while Graeme McDowell recently became the first European to win the US Open in 40 years when the Northern Irishman finished ahead of France's Gregory Havret at Pebble Beach.
England's Justin Rose also recently won two tournaments on the USPGA Tour, only narrowly missing out on a third.
And although the US regained the Ryder Cup in 2008, Europe have won five of the last seven events and are favourites to be victorious again in October at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.
Yet Montgomerie believes it is always a level playing field when it comes to the Ryder Cup.
"There is no complacency, there is no over-confidence here," he said.
"We know these matches are very, very close. You only have to look back at the record win that Europe had in 2004 in America - 11 matches went to the last hole and we happened to win nine of them.
"If that was the opposite way round, we wouldn't have won by a record margin, we would have lost that Ryder Cup. That's how close these matches are.
"We're under no illusions at all about how difficult this task will be to attempt to regain the Ryder Cup."
On paper, the European team is overflowing with in-form talent and the list of those players set to miss out on selection is almost as impressive as those who are currently in the nine automatic qualifying positions.
The likes of Rose, world number eight Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington and Henrik Stenson could all be leaning on Montgomerie for wild cards next month - when the Scot announces his 12-man team following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
"I could pick two teams that could beat each other on any given day," Montgomerie said.
"Our players have performed brilliantly worldwide and there are issues that need to be addressed with some world stars not already qualified within the team.
"Those picks right now are the biggest headache we have. But it's a very positive headache."
By announcing Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley as his vice-captains, Montgomerie has surrounded himself with friends who have numerous experiences of winning and retaining Ryder Cups over the past decade.
The trio of assistants have been popular members of the European Tour down the years and Montgomerie will be hoping they can help generate a positive, feel-good atmosphere during the October 1-3 match.
While appearing at first something of an old pals' act, Montgomerie insists the selection of the three stalwarts came after much deliberation.
"I've spoken at length to all six of the captains I've played under," said Montgomerie, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups.
"I've learnt a lot. Respect is number one, experience is number two, passion for the Ryder Cup commitment to try to win this cup back is number three.
"All three vice-captains fall under every category there. There are four of us here that are going to make decisions from now on, not just me."
McGinley was also looking forward to playing his part in Montgomerie's team.
"Hopefully we can make some really good decisions and press home the advantage the world rankings suggest we have," the Irishman said.