Monty issues Ryder warning

EVERY European star basing himself in the United States — and that includes Rory McIlroy again next season — runs the risk of not making the Ryder Cup.

That was the warning last night from Colin Montgomerie a week before the qualifying race starts in Switzerland.

Montgomerie found leaving out world number nine Paul Casey last year the hardest thing he had to do as captain — and he hopes his successor Jose Maria Olazabal does not face the same dilemma next August.

The pair play together in the first two rounds of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles today and tomorrow and Montgomerie said: “No doubt we’ll have a chat on the way round.”

Olazabal has opted for only two wild cards instead of Montgomerie’s three — and three did not prove enough to get either Casey or Justin Rose, twice a winner in the States during the qualifying period, into his side.

“I think it surprised us all that a world top-10 player didn’t make it and I do hope that Olazabal doesn’t have that same issue,” Montgomerie said. “I hope it’s more cut and dried for him than it was for me and that the two picks are obvious.”

However, Montgomerie adds: “If you base yourself in America you are taking a risk to make the Ryder Cup team, quite simple.”

“It’s quite straightforward. If you don’t make the top 10 you might not make the team and you can’t rely on a pick.”