Monty hopes to have edge over Woods

Colin Montgomerie believes Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes will receive a huge boost if a member of the team can beat Tiger Woods at this week’s HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth.

Woods arrived in Britain today saying that the Americans are “definitely the underdogs” at the K Club near Dublin next week.

But Montgomerie would love to see Europe become even heavier odds-on favourites with one of the five in action at the West Course denying the world number one a sixth straight tournament victory on the eve of the match.

“It would do us a power of good,” said the Scot, at 43 the oldest player both in this week’s 16-man field and next week’s defence of the Ryder Cup.

Woods opens on Thursday against fellow American Shaun Micheel, but it could then be European opposition all the way – Luke Donald in the quarter-finals, Robert Karlsson in the semis and Montgomerie, David Howell or Paul Casey for the record £1million first prize on Sunday.

“The draw has worked out well for me because I stay away from him as long as possible,” added Montgomerie, yet to win an event in which Woods has been competing.

“It would be great if Luke could have a go at him.”

Donald went head to head with Woods in the final round of the US PGA championship last month, but did not manage a single birdie in being crushed 68-74.

Woods has also played with Sergio Garcia, Paul McGinley and Casey this summer and beaten them all as well. And last July, of course, Montgomerie was pushed into second place by him at the Open championship.

While delighted to be in the opposite half of the draw to the man who has not tasted defeat since July 9 – when he was second – Europe’s eight-time Order of Merit winner does not like the fact that his first match is against Howell, this season’s European tour number one.

“It’s a shame I’ve been drawn against David,” added Montgomerie. “I’d rather not play a team-mate and I think both of us feel that way.

“It’s an awkward one, but the words ’Ryder Cup’ do not interest me on Thursday. You’ve got to put out of your mind that you’re colleagues five days later.

“I’ll start to think about the Ryder Cup on Monday when I pack.”

When it was put to Montgomerie that the morning of departure for Ireland was leaving it late to decide what to take he had an easy explanation.

“It’s the easiest week there is for packing – you only have to take underwear and a pair of jeans for the evenings. Everything else is provided. You could do it with only hand luggage no bother.”

How well he fits into the clothes given him remains to be seen, however.

A month ago Montgomerie was told he needed to be sized up and his answer was: “Just give me the same as last time.”

When he then realised he was 20 pounds heavier heresolved to shed the excess in time for the match.

“I’ve got six to seven pounds to go, but I’ll do it,” he said.

“I’ll exercise it off. Each match this week (if it goes the full 36 holes) is a 14-mile walk. Four days of that I’ll get it off – there’s no time to eat, just walk.”

Woods, meanwhile, may have been suffering from some jetlag today after crossing the Atlantic overnight, but he had enough wits about him not to repeat the comment he made the week before the 2002 match at The Belfry.

On that occasion he said he wanted to win a world championship more than he did the Ryder Cup.

This time, at the start of a three-week trip to Europe, his answer to the same “which do you want to win most” question was: “All three events I play in.”

He does still admit there are parts of Ryder Cup week he does not enjoy, though.

“I’m looking forward to competing. I absolutely love getting out there and playing and playing with my teammates in either fourball or foursomes matches. I always love doing that.

“I’m not a real big function guy, so there are parts that have never been fun for me. “When I first played in ’97 I remember Payne (Stewart) and Mark O’Meara pulled me aside and said ’okay, here’s the deal. Get your sleep now because when you get there you won’t sleep a lot’.

“They were right. We didn’t eat at the gala dinner until 1150 at night in Valderrama. They eat a little bit late there in Spain. That was interesting because I had never experienced anything like that.”

Nor did the food there seem to go down too well. While the dinner was still going on the American team arranged for some pizzas to be delivered to their team room for afterwards.