Talk turns to who will draw wild card

TO LISTEN to the players, the caddies, the media and just about everyone except the sponsors, you would think this week was all about the Ryder Cup and little to do with the BMW International Open and its tidy prize fund of €1.8m.

The German car company faces this situation every two years - you suspect they don’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Though their front-line profile might suffer, they are assured just about every top player will be here, whether he is assured of a Ryder Cup team place or not.

All eyes are on which of the borderline Ryder Cup team candidates is doing what, even if the top of the leaderboard is dominated by others.

While Paul McGinley’s situation is occupying the minds of almost every Irish golfing fan, the English are equally absorbed with the ability of David Howell and Ian Poulter to hold onto their places and of Luke Donald to force his way in, for the Swedes Fredrik Jacobson and Joakim Haeggman to make up lost ground, whether Alex Cejka, the captain’s compatriot, is in the shake-up - and the continent is taking note of Colin Montgomerie’s performance to see if he will earn a wild card pick from skipper Bernhard Langer.

Many believe it is already a done deal and that Monty and Langer are, for now, indulging in mind games.

If that’s the case, then Langer is being less than honest with the media and the public.

It’s more likely the captain means it when he insists he wants everybody, including Monty, to play his way into the team. If the Scot again finishes towards the end of the pack, as he has done for most of the season, he has few claims on a pick - except his vast Ryder Cup experience, his influence in a team situation and the fact that he has never lost a Ryder Cup singles.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington is in no doubt that Monty must be in the side.

“I’d have 12 Montys in the side. Which would you prefer - an American two up against Monty or some other guy? The answer is Monty, Monty, Monty - and Monty again!”

One still doubts this troubled individual is anything like the man he used to be. However, I feel the pros exceed the cons and that he should be one of the selections, not least because he has Alistair McLean, the caddy who helped him to seven consecutive European orders of merit and in four Ryder Cup matches, back on his bag this week. That said, how nice it would be if Monty, for once, could demonstrate forcibly that he has the golf game to match the occasion.

If the top ten stay as they are and Howell, Poulter and McGinley make it, then I have a suspicion that Langer will give the second spot to a continental - either Jacobson or perhaps Alex Cejka, who has played in the States for the past few years and is familiar with the conditions there.

Views differ on how Langer should handle the wild card scenario.

Defending BMW champion Lee Westwood sat on the fence.

“That’s Bernhard’s job. Maybe this week’s events might change his mind. He’s thinking of one person for sure and then one of three people and if one of those were to win this week ... well, draw your own conclusions.”

Sergio Garcia went down a similar route: “I’m happy I’m not the captain. It’s not an easy job. It’s going to be a nerve-wracking week for some of these guys. Once you’ve qualified, your thoughts are not on the Ryder Cup, I’m thinking about the BMW International and doing my best.”

Cejka is probably one of those in Langer’s mind, because of his relative US Tour success. He says Monty should be picked and laughingly points to himself for second.

“Bernhard and I have spoken a few times recently but not about anything in particular,” Cejka said.

“It depends on how I play this week. If I win or finish second... The US are always stronger on paper and yet it’s always down to the last match, always a half point or point. They may have an edge because it’s in the States. As for the picks, I don’t think it matters, it’s going to be a strong team.”