Monty: Make Lee the team leader

Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie has warned against piling too much pressure on Rory McIlroy to deliver maximum points for Europe at Medinah next weekend.

World number one and newly-minted PGA champion McIlroy, 23, may be in red-hot form since securing his second major victory last month but Montgomerie, who captained the Holywood star on his debut in Europe’s victory over the US at Celtic Manor two years ago, believes the Irishman is not ready to carry the golfing hopes of a continent.

“I don’t think Rory is classified as the team leader yet on the course,” Sky Sports analyst Montgomerie said. “I’d give that role to Lee Westwood, as I did, really, two years ago. I think Lee is the team leader on the course although Rory is number one.