Captain Monty to be a one-hit wonder

Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup players have paid tribute to Colin Montgomerie after the mastermind of their victory confirmed he would step down as captain.

Shortly after helping Europe clinch a nail-biting 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 win, Montgomerie revealed he had no plans to continue in the position for the defence of the trophy in Chicago in 2012.

“This is a one-hit time and I’m delighted that Europe have won. I will not be doing this again, I can assure you,” Montgomerie said.

The 47-year-old Scot said he hoped his successor would emerge from the team of vice-captains who helped him plot Monday’s win at Celtic Manor along with Spaniard Jose-Maria Olazabal.

Olazabal and Ireland’s Paul McGinley are seen as the early front-runners for the prestigious post.

“I think it’s only right that it should be shared around,” Montgomerie said.

As Europe celebrated regaining the crown they lost at Valhalla in 2008, Montgomerie was identified as the architect and driving force of the win.

The United States might have had a fighter pilot to give them a motivational speech but when it came to the heat of battle, Europe were led by a general who had left nothing to chance.

“He educated everybody in what was going to happen, how it was going to happen, when it was going to happen, how he really wanted it all to pan out,” English stalwart Lee Westwood said.

“That’s all a captain can do.”

Montgomerie’s decision to place US Open champion Graeme McDowell at the bottom of the singles order proved a masterstroke, the ice-cool Ulsterman anchoring Europe to victory amid excruciating tension.