Monty wins ‘debate’ as skipper seals three Ryder wild cards

IT WAS only after “a good, lively debate” here this week that Colin Montgomerie was given his third ‘wild card’ pick for the 2009 Ryder Cup match at Celtic Manor, Wales.

Europe have previously allowed their captain three picks, most recently in 1993, but it’s been down to two ever since, a situation that coincided in wins over the Americans on five occasions and defeats only in 1999 and 2008.

“It was a good evening, well chaired by Thomas Bjorn,” said Montgomerie of Tuesday’s meeting of the Tournament Players Committee. “I didn’t ask for more than three picks. I asked for a change in the qualifying process for the Ryder Cup and I suppose I succeeded. I’m not saying it’s going to be any easier. The easy option would be to qualify all 12 I wouldn’t have any picks at all.