Monty wants to be fit for Seve challenge

COLIN MONTGOMERIE is thinking of giving himself a rest on Saturday – so that he is completely fresh to take on the golfer ranked 1,231st in the world 24 hours later.

That player is Seve Ballesteros, who will be seeking a remarkable third successive victory over Montgomerie when they meet again in the singles of the Seve Trophy contest at El Saler near Valencia in Spain.

Montgomerie, captain of the Britain and Ireland side, yesterday unveiled his line-up for the opening fourballs of the match against Continental Europe today.

But it was not long before he was asked about playing opposite number Ballesteros once more on Sunday.

Three years ago Ballesteros finished 190th on the European Order of Merit, but he still managed to beat Montgomerie two and one at Sunningdale in the inaugural match of the competition named in his honour.

By last year's clash at Druids Glen near Dublin he had slumped to 1,240th in the world, but despite shooting a seven over par 78 he still defeated Montgomerie on the last hole and ended the match as the only player with a 100% record.

Montgomerie did at least have the compensation that time of Britain and Ireland winning the trophy, but he says of facing Ballesteros: "It's a very interesting one and a great challenge to me to play Seve is a very daunting task.

"Someone who chips and putts the way he does is a very difficult man to beat and is always going to be very difficult to beat.

With the match stretched to four days rather than three this year because of daylight problems it has been agreed by both captains that all 10 players will play in the fourballs today and tomorrow.

And that means Ballesteros is back with Jose Maria Olazabal, with whom he formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history.

They will face Lee Westwood and David Howell (Darren Clarke's replacement) in the opening game and Ballesteros said of being reunited with Olazabal: "To walk to the first tee will be a very special moment we're not only good friends, but we have a lot in common.

"We're nearly neighbours (he is from Santander and Olazabal from San Sebastian), have similar backgrounds and many great matches in the past. To have him next to me is a guarantee that the match will be good. He makes me feel comfortable."