Monty insists his team can regain Cup

European captain Colin Montgomerie insists his selection for the Ryder Cup clash with the United States is strong enough to regain the trophy at Celtic Manor, Wales, in October.

Colin Montgomerie sprang a slight surprise when he picked Padraig Harrington as one of his three wildcards instead of Paul Casey and Justin Rose, but the Scot is convinced his 12-man team have the right blend of form, character and determination to overcome the Americans.

Harrington did not win a point either in Europe’s Ryder Cup defeat two years ago or the nine-point victory at The K Club in 2006, but he has won three Majors and has Montgomerie’s full support.

Montgomerie also selected Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari as wildcards and named Sergio Garcia as a fourth vice-captain.

The automatic qualifiers are Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson.

“Padraig has won three major championships in the last three years... he is someone we feel that nobody in matchplay golf wants to play,” Montgomerie said.

“He is a great competitor and someone that will bring everything to the team that we know about European golf.

“Luke Donald has played seven times in Ryder Cup and has lost only once.

“And Edoardo Molinari (the winner of Sunday’s Johnnie Walker Championship), what can one say about his performance? In my time on the European Tour, over 24 years, I have never seen a finish like that. All credit to him, having to win and doing just that.”

Asked if had pulled rank over his vice-captains Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley and Garcia, Montgomerie replied: “I have not managed to pull rank at this stage and that’s a good thing.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have three (and now four) vice-captains. I spoke to Sergio in Spain for his advice. We are all unanimous in our decision that we have the strongest possible team for Europe.”

Montgomerie is adamant that having Casey, a European player in the world top 10, absent from the team would not damage his side’s chances on October 1-3.

“I don’t feel hamstrung by the qualifying process,” he said.

“I just want to think positively about the team that we have selected. I think the three picks are strong in every way. We are thinking about pairings.

“Since my day – I was a Ryder Cup rookie in 1991 – I don’t think any captain has had the difficulty I have had today picking three from a possible 10.”

Edoardo and Francesco Molinari are the first brothers to play in the Ryder Cup since Bernard and Geoff Hunt in 1963.

Edoardo sealed his selection in Montgomerie’s mind by winning the Johnnie Walker Championship by one shot at Gleneagles on Sunday.