Monty gets Casey seal of approval

Eight-time Ryder Cup player Colin Montgomerie is today expected to be named European captain for the 2010 edition of the tournament after receiving the backing of two former skippers and two-time cup winner Paul Casey.

Europe’s tournament committee vote on Nick Faldo’s successor today in Dubai and it would seem the 45-year-old Scot is in pole position for the prestigious role, with Sandy Lyle and former skipper Ian Woosnam having fallen by the wayside.

Montgomerie is expected to take the reins for the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales with Jose Maria Olazabal set to be named to lead the team in Chicago in 2012.

And after three-time captain Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance, a successful captain at The Belfry in 2002, threw their weight behind their fellow Scot, Casey believes Montgomerie is the right man to lead Europe at Celtic Manor next year.

“I have huge respect for Monty and I think from what I have read and when I have spoken to him, he would love to captain a side where he knows all the players,” said Casey.

“We have fantastic players right now. I have now dropped to 23rd in the world, but when I was 21st in the world last week I was only the eighth-best European and that shows how impressive European golf is right now. I think both those two guys (Montgomerie and Olazabal) would definitely get the best out of that top eight.

“I don’t know what is going to happen but I have spoken to Colin, I haven’t spoken to Jose, and he would love to captain in this generation.

“I have read all the arguments saying Monty would be great in Europe and then Olazabal in the States with his rapport with the fans and the people, but I don’t care, I just want to be on the team and play for one of them.”

Five-time Ryder Cup winner Montgomerie only emerged as a frontrunner two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi after previously indicating he wanted to return to the team next year to win a ninth cap and wait until Gleneagles in 2014 to take up the captaincy.

Olazabal’s manager, meanwhile, only confirmed the three-time winner was available last week as he was also hopeful of qualifying as a player.

“I’m intrigued,” added Casey.

“My money would be on Monty. Monty and Olazabal are the two horses in the race it seems and I think they both would be fantastic captains and I’m sure they will both be captain at some stage, it just depends on who is first.”

Both Montgomerie and Olazabal are set to tee off tomorrow alongside Casey at Emirates Golf Club in the Dubai Desert Classic.