Monty: Why I accepted the Ryder Cup captaincy
What changed his mind not to play in Wales?
Posted: 28 January 2009
by Golfmagic correspondent
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Colin Montgomerie with the Ryder Cup in 2006
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COLIN MONTGOMERIE today accepted the role of European team captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup against the US at The Celtic Manor near Newport in Wales. The European Tour Players committee decided to pick the eight times winner of the Tour's Order of Merit and former Ryder Cup hero to lead the team next year in preference to double US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who may well be appointed captain in 2012 in the US at a later date.
Colin, maybe you'd like to kick off with your own initial thoughts?
COLIN MONTGOMERIE: This is obviously one of the most proud moments that I can think of, and very honoured to be selected by the committee to be The 2010 Ryder Cup captain. It's a huge responsibility, as well. Having lost the last Ryder Cup in Valhalla, I promise you that I will be doing everything I can to claim back The Ryder Cup in Wales.
You were so insistent that you wanted to play in 2010. Who or what changed your mind?
CM: The players, I believe. I've always had huge respect for the players out here on The European Tour, and for what they have been saying over the last two weeks when we have been talking. And through Thomas Bjorn, our chairman of the committee, and I've been listening and taking heed of what they have been saying.
It just seems that the time is right for me to take the helm here and to be captain, so I can tell you right now that when the qualification system starts, all of the points that I earn as a player for The Ryder Cup will be nullified. I'll still be in the Order of Merit, The Race to Dubai, but I will not come anywhere near qualifying for the team.
So I am the captain, and a very proud and honoured man I am right now.
How difficult a decision was it to accept given that you might be giving up your last chance to play on that team?
CM: I may well be. I don't truthfully believe that I cannot compete in 201 and that's now my aim. But we are concentrating today on 2010, and that's where we are.
José Maria Olazábal and Sandy Lyle were very much part of the equation as far as we understand this captaincy is concerned. Will you be inviting them to be you vice captains?
CM: I think it's quite obvious that José Maria will be part of my team at The Celtic Manor. I've a great respect for him; we first came together in 1984 in the British Amateur final, and it's amazing how the two of us have gone forward. As for anyone else to be involved, this decision has only just been taken and you'll know in due course whom else will be back room staff. But it's very important that we get those particular players and members of the Tour with me to try and claim back The Ryder Cup in 2010.
How significant is your close relationship with all of the European Tour players? Nick Faldo took some flak for not knowing the team well enough.
CM: That was a committee decision. I think I can speak on behalf of Thomas here, as well, that we decided on this occasion that someone of that age might not be playing with all of these players. I think it's a great opportunity for me to captain players that I have competed with and will compete with over the next year and a half. I don't have to go through the names, but you understand who I'm talking about, and I have competed with them throughout my career and I look forward to captaining them.
A fortnight ago, you were a 50 to 1 outsider for this job. When you went into the committee meeting in Abu Dhabi did you have any inkling that you were a candidate for the job?
CM: Not really. I don't think I was, until we started the discussion. Thomas started the discussion, and it went forward, and it became clearer that it might be a possible for me to do it at this time.
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Monty shows how much the Cup meant to him in 2006 at the K Club
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Recently, you were fairly firm in your desire to take the captaincy at Gleneagles. How much did that weigh on your decision here?
CM: When we started the meeting in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago my name was cropping up an awful lot more in the discussion than I first foresaw. Five years is a long time, in any walk of life, especially sport, and we as a committee decided that this was the right time.
Are you happier to be captaining a team on home soil rather than on American soil?
CM: Oh, I'm just happy to be captain of the team. It doesn't really matter whether it be at home or away. I'm just very proud to be captain.
Did you think of any terms and conditions that you wanted the Players Committee to agree upon?
CM: I can't at this stage because we haven't gone through that. We will work towards one getting the strongest team that's available to play at Celtic Manor and with our wealth of talent we could field three teams that are almost as strong as each other. We have new talent emerging, a nucleus of the team that I'm sure will remain and I'm very excited to captain.
When you first became a Ryder Cup player in 1991, obviously that was the year you sadly lost your mother, I know it meant a lot to you to be a Ryder Cup debutante in that year, how does the honour of The Ryder Cup captaincy compare to making your debut as a player?
CM: When I first made my debut under a Scottish captain in Bernard Gallacher in 1991, it was an experience that I will always remember, playing on the same team as heroes of mine whom I have grown up with - Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Seve and José Maria. I dreamt, obviously, one day that this opportunity might come my way, but far off dreams, I must admit. We speak here, what, 18 years later, and here it is. Thanks for question and I'm very, very proud to be here today.
You have a lot of experience in The Ryder Cup, what is the one message that you will try to instill in your players next year?
CM: Well, that's very easy. We go and we claim back The Ryder Cup. I've been given a task, not just to captain this team in Wales, but to win back The Ryder Cup in Wales. We feel something's missing on this table here, and the last three Ryder Cup captains have had the privilege of sitting here with The Ryder Cup in front of them. We don't this evening, and it's my job to make that come true for our following captain in 2012.
What will you do differently to Nick Faldo?
CM: As I was saying earlier, this decision has just been made and I have learned an awful lot under the six captains that I have had the privilege of playing under and will take that knowledge forward into 2010. Not having played under Nick Faldo, I can't answer that question.
Where does this leave you for 2014 at Gleneagles? Is that out of the question?
CM: I never said that. We're talking about 2010 here and what happens in the future, who knows.
Would you still like to captain at Glenneagles in 2014, that would be a big honour to captain in Scotland, wouldn't it?
CM: That depends on a of hypothetical situations that we won't get into this evening.
There didn't seem to be much fun about The Ryder Cup; is that going to be one of your tasks, to put a smile back on the face of the players in the competition?
CM: I can't speak for what happened in 2008. I wasn't there. All I can say is that the times I played in The Ryder Cup, I've managed to win five out of the eight, and on every occasion I must admit that we have had fun. I think that a team that's having fun will play better for me, and I think that if they enjoy themselves, they are usually quite good at it I intend to have the teams enjoying themselves at all times.
Last year, one of the factors for US success was the four captain's picks given to Paul Azinger. Are you thinking of asking for any change in the qualification criteria? Are you planning for asking for four captain's picks?
CM: That has not been discussed and won't be discussed until the next committee meeting, I believe, in May, before our qualification system starts. So unfortunately I can't answer that question right now, but that will be a committee decision and I will abide by that decision.
How well do you know Corey Pavin, and can you give us a flavour of your experiences with him in the past, and when will you be speaking to him?
CM: I haven't spoken to Corey yet. But at the same time, I respect him as a competitor and i think that describes him very well. I've played Corey in The Ryder Cup on three occasions came out on top twice, just. Every match is a tough game, and I know that having won The Ryder Cup the last time, there's no question that he wants to retain that trophy as much as we want it back. I'll be calling him later on this evening.
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Discuss this story
Lyle - Wales 2010 with Woosie as one of the vice captains Ollie - USA 2012 Monty - Gleaneagles 2014 Surely that keeps everybody happy?
Posted: 26/01/2009 16:08
As George O'Grady said in an interview over the weekend that the players have decided the captain would be someone who was still playing and thus "close" to the tour: 2010: Monty 2012: Olly 2014 onwards: McGinley/ Clarke/ Westwood/ Bjorn etc
Posted: 26/01/2009 16:15
2010: Olly - because as Faldo proved, a great player doesn't necessarily make a great captain. For me, Monty just wants it too much, and would make it too much about him, not the players. I think the ideal captain is in his early-to-mid 40s - Seve was 40, Jacklin started at 39 and finished at 45. We have to push the upper bound of that just to fit in some pretty obvious candidates: 2012: McGinley (will be 45) 2014: Clarke (46) 2016: Harrington (45) 2018: Westwood (45) 2020: Stenson (44) 2022: Donald (44) 2024: Garcia (44) 2026: Rose (46) ... and that's missing out players like Jimenez, Karlsson, Casey, Poulter etc
Posted: 26/01/2009 16:37
I may have mentioned once or twice that it should be Lyle. However, if the committee are minded that it has to be an under 50 who still plays on the ET, then Monty 2010 and Olly 2012 makes good sense. That said.... as somebody pointed out recently in one of the newspapers, Tony Jacklin was off tour and out of touch when he captained the RC team, and he had a pretty decent record, no? This "must be under 50" thing is the players' committee that foolishly selected Faldo believing that's why he failed. It's not - Faldo failed because he is an ars*, plain and simple. So is Monty in some respects, although he has enough positive qualities to compensate. My vote then - LYLE If not, Monty for 2010, Olly for 2012, and Clarke or Bjorn for 2014.
Posted: 26/01/2009 16:40
Jacklin was off-tour but had retired early. Gallacher started at 42 and carried on to 46, BTW. Big Jack was 43, Langer and Crenshaw were 47, Woosnam and Zinger 48, and Sam Torrance was the oldest winning captain (at 49) since Jack Burke Jr in 1973. I don't think the under-50 things is a response to Faldo, just a reflection of what has worked over the last couple of decades - and maybe a reflection of the energy you need to do the job in the modern era.
Posted: 26/01/2009 16:58
Lyle because he deserves it and ticks all the boxes as both a major winner and many times (and victorious - occasionally) Ryder Cup player. It's too soon for Monty and isn't Gleneagles in 2014 - when he's in his dotage (51  ) - the "Dream Ticket"? Ollie plays yank golf all the time - so isn't he best positioned for 2012 (just as Langer was before him)??? Which leaves Sandy for a UK Ryder Cup in 2010 - where he'll be loved by the fans who remember when we had multiple european major winners competing week in and week out as opposed to two currently - well, sort of - Paddy & Paul Lawrie (ahem). He would also be respected by the players because of his achievements (Casey, Donald, Rose, Garcia, Two-Shanks Poulter, Stenson et. al. should be so lucky!). Simple as that. Whichever captain gets the job, they'll need to get to work on the Harrington/Garcia rift that was published to death after Valhalla. ---- O'course, you then have the European Tour panel (chaired by none other Royal St. George's "Great Shame" himself). The selection presents itself as easy as 1-2-3 and if they don't do the Sandy/Ollie/Monty triplet over the next 5yrs then I fear Sandy will never get a shout. Faldo's selection as captain was based on merit - both majors and Ryder Cup history - so why not Sandy??? I mean he couldn't do a worse job than Britain's greatest player - could he? If Sandy gets skipped in deference to Ollie/Monty then come 2014 were into the realms of "1 putt" McGinley and - as I said before - St. George's very own choke-meister himself Thomas Bjorn. Good players (in their own way) and decent enough chaps (in their own way) but neither are fit to lick Sandy's boots in my opinion! Harrington will be creeping towards captaincy by then but he'll be playing in Ryder cups for a long time to come.
Posted: 26/01/2009 17:32
Cant we just "borrow" Paul Azinger, THE most successful Ryder Cup Captain IMO-despite fierce criticism from many quarters-on either side since Bernhard Langer?! Seriously, would it not be a good thing to look at the man and analyse what made him so good and choose someone from our list of "candidates" who is very like Paul? Personally I reckon that Monty is too much of a prima donna to captain such a diverse team as the 2010 side is sure to be but for this one I'm sitting firmly on the fence!
Posted: 26/01/2009 17:34
Lyle because he deserves it and ticks all the boxes as both a major winner and many times (and victorious - occasionally) Ryder Cup player.
It'll be rainy & cold @ Celtic Manor so Sandy will f**k off home after 9 holes
Posted: 26/01/2009 17:35
Lyle because he deserves it and ticks all the boxes as both a major winner and many times (and victorious - occasionally) Ryder Cup player.
It'll be rainy & cold @ Celtic Manor so Sandy will f**k off home after 9 holes
Like it, " my glasses got wet"
Posted: 26/01/2009 19:16
Yeah cos the trout-faced git Woosenam & Primadonna Faldo have never made mistakes & never had spats of any kind have they!?!
It's only because Sandy's faux-pas occurred 6 months ago that it's fresh in folks' minds.
Although I recall Faldo's "I'd like to thank you all from the heart of my bottom!" more vividly than Sandy's withdrawal (and I didn't even know what golf was back then).
Not forgetting a certain other "Top Pick" for next captain's unnecessary gripe "You're only here because of me, do you realise that!" LAST YEAR at a poor Sky TV cameraman who was merely doing his job... who could that be again??? Everyone else seems to have a short memory on that one don't they.
Oh, not forgetting that in 15-20yrs time when Garcia is in the frame: "Ooh, you don't want to pick that bugger! He cried at Carnoustie in 1999 when he was 3yrs old him!"
GET REAL!
If that's your argument lads, at least try to find one that actually holds water, eh!
Posted: 26/01/2009 22:46
Let's stop harping on about faldo for f*cks sake... we lost the last ryder cup because the other team played best. Seems the same few names slagging faldo off and for the same reasons backing sandy/monty. Why do you think just before they decide the next captain they bring out two new reasons to help with selection... 1) captain must be under 50, oh that's because that rules out Sandy lyle, and let's be honest he's not been current. 2) You should only get one shot at it... oh that's convenient because another front runner was woosie and now he's out the frame also. So you are down to 2.. ollie and monty Ollie would be the perfect choice since he was vice at the last one and that's got to be good experience, and I feel for the guy because it's taken him ages to decide... after all taking the job is acknowledging that your pro career (RC) is effectively over, and of course if you accept the captaincy it now means that's your one and only shot at it. However that would leave Monty for the US and he has been disliked by sections of the american fans in the past so probably better to put ollie in there (even though playing away from home is a much harder proposition) . I'd much rather have the home game than the away... but if you go back to the games played in the U.S. since 1983 it's been even stevens... the us won 83 - europe won 87 - us won 91 - europe won 95 - us won 99 - europe won 2004 - us won 2008 - europe ? Monty dream ticket for who 2014 ? for me winning it with anyone as captain would be the dream ticket... and if it's dream tickets you want then why aren't you supporting woosie for the next one ? And fald's "from the heart of my bottom" is hardly the same league as that stupid remark on camera "your're only here because of me", let alone the idiot opening his mouth about the asian players taking precedence over his selection a few years back... Oh and we could go on and search the forums for all the members who have actually been round and watched monty and seen his rude behavior and not signing any autographs... yeah great captain
Posted: 27/01/2009 08:46
GET REAL! If that's your argument lads, at least try to find one that actually holds water, eh!
Firstly, woah.....calm down a bit. If you are on about arguments not holding water...the examples you have given are all by players who have tried their bo**ox off and completed their round/s. Whereas Sandy Lyle just gave up because his fingers were a little chilly and, in his words, he was heading for a 90 so why should he put himself through it?!
Perhaps you'd like some time to plug the holes in your own argument?? Don't want to make enemies as a board newbie but Sandy Lyle should never be RC captain after walking off in a huff at the Open. A couple of my mates shelled out a couple of grand (inc travel, accom etc) to try to qualify, one of them missed out by a shot at final qualifying, he was gutted and SL withdrawing because he was a a little bit wet did nothing to lighten his mood. Only a priveleged number get to play in the Open and that should not be abused at any cost. Off to shelter from any flak that may cause now!!
This was one of my 1st posts on here after McStumpy was drumming up Sandy support, so now, as it was then, it is only my opinion
Posted: 27/01/2009 09:04
I think Seve is recently on record to say he would like the role... but I think the new regime where they don't want an older player out of touch with the tour would rule seve out. Pity because he does have a fine rc record http://www.rydercup.com/2006/europe/history/all_time_records.html
Posted: 27/01/2009 11:28
Butch isn't the only one concerned with a Monty Captaincy. With his Ego and the captaincy I think he might dissapear up his own sphincter, a bit like those black hole animations that NASA punt out periodically. One thing I will say, you can't have Monty Captain other side of the pond, they hate him. And he has been known to bite !!!
Posted: 27/01/2009 12:42
Why do you think just before they decide the next captain they bring out two new reasons to help with selection... 1) captain must be under 50, oh that's because that rules out Sandy lyle, and let's be honest he's not been current. 2) You should only get one shot at it... oh that's convenient because another front runner was woosie and now he's out the frame also.
Stuart - Woosie is over 50 as well (as are all other past captains), so you could have saved yourself a bit of typing and left out number (2)
Posted: 27/01/2009 12:55
If Lyle doesn't get picked it will be a disgrace, simple as that. Oh, and for all the "...packed in at the Open last year..." mob: having read an interview with Ronan Flood where he describes the 1st day at Birkdale last year as "The worst conditions we've played in while I've been on Padraig's bag!" - and he's been on that bag a few years now - if Sandy wasn't 100% then while it wasn't necessarily the PC thing to do it is at least understandable. If not, then all you finger pointers are basically saying that in a medal round, when having a mare, you've never NR'd a card? I loathe NR'ing a card but I'm not so proud as to say I've never done it - funnily enough when I was feeling sh!t, the weather was crap and I was steadily racking up a cricket score! Gee, bet you guys can walk on water too! 
Posted: 27/01/2009 13:21
If Lyle doesn't get picked it will be a disgrace, simple as that. Oh, and for all the "...packed in at the Open last year..." mob: having read an interview with Ronan Flood where he describes the 1st day at Birkdale last year as "The worst conditions we've played in while I've been on Padraig's bag!" - and he's been on that bag a few years now - if Sandy wasn't 100% then while it wasn't necessarily the PC thing to do it is at least understandable. If not, then all you finger pointers are basically saying that in a medal round, when having a mare, you've never NR'd a card? I loathe NR'ing a card but I'm not so proud as to say I've never done it - funnily enough when I was feeling sh!t, the weather was crap and I was steadily racking up a cricket score! Gee, bet you guys can walk on water too!
Just have to agree to disagree Chris. Was it so bad that Paddy had to walk off? In fact only 1 other person threw it in and that was Rich Beem. I think that "Beemer" would make a sh!t captain too. I've NR'd before, but I've never walked in and left my playing partners to it. I've stayed with them so they can keep the proper pace in the field. Never walked on water, unless it was really icy!
Posted: 27/01/2009 15:23
Just out of (genuine) curiousity... is there anyone on the forum who was 100% behind Lyle as captain until the Birkdale "incident"?
I was, but after Birkdale I'm now 100% against him.
IMO walking off in the manner he did showed a total disrespect for his playing partners, the organisers, the sponsors & The Open and should rule him out regardless of any other factors.
Posted: 27/01/2009 17:32
Was it so bad that Paddy had to walk off? Er, as defending champ - doubtful!!! Neither would Sandy given similar circumstance & youth! I just don't see what the problem is with Sandy??? Ollie will be a fine captain but best served over there. Who's to say that the "Bulldog licking p!ss off a nettle" won't play himself into the team again by next year - I reckon he's still got the game to do it, all he suffers from - in the most part - is his own self-doubt! What about the Sandy, Ollie, Monty triumverate (as has been speculated in various press articles)? Sandy as cap and Ollie & Monty as vice captains? All 3 Ryder cup winners and Ryder cup stalwarts. Would you go for him then? Didn't do Azinger any harm having Ray Floyd & Dave Stockton to hand did it?
Posted: 27/01/2009 18:58
Neither would Sandy given similar circumstance & youth! I just don't see what the problem is with Sandy???
Doesn't he only qualify through his previous winner exemption??
To me, he's proved that he's a quitter:- Evening of day 2 in the team meeting, Eur 3 USA 8. Sandy stands up and tells everyone not to give up, keep trying to the end, winner's never quit & quitters never win etc. "F**k off Sandy, what do you know about sticking it out till the end??" For all I know the players might not think this way, they may love him, he becomes a succesful captain, cup comes back to Europe and happy days.
Posted: 27/01/2009 19:44
For all I know the players might not think this way, they may love him, he becomes a succesful captain, cup comes back to Europe and happy days. But doesn't that prove exactly the point why he should be given a chance? Who in a million years thought Faldo would cock-up as badly as he did - from opening speeches thru the competition itself (sandwich gate etc.). I mean apart from his inspired Captain's picks (who actually performed like Ryder Cuppers - including my own personal favourite Ian Poulter) he didn't actually get much right. Much copy has been afforded to Faldo's order of play and the fact that the yanks outplayed us - true. But a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and I would've much preferred the big guns of Harrington and Westwood going out first and setting the mark. That was his choice and he lived or died by it (sadly the latter). But all that aside, there was no denying that Faldo deserved his shot. So does Sandy.
Posted: 27/01/2009 20:05
Lyle will have his team's respect, I've no doubt of that. One, regretted, chuck-in at Birkdale when he wasn't competitive anyway pales into insignifiance against his remarkable achievements as a player and winner. Given the (current) dearth of major champions in the Euro team, some of whom have contended and been found sadly lacking at the death, they cannot help but look up to Lyle. The suggestion above (Lyle backed by Monty and Olly) is my dream ticket.
Posted: 27/01/2009 21:10
Lyle. Deserves a run out for years of good golf. He walked out of The Open last year but he also made the cut at The Masters. His game can't be that bad and he must still be in touch with the tour. Let's all remember the advice we give to new members and golfers...'as long as you enjoy the game etc. etc.' That thought seems to be forgotten in some quarters when it comes to the RC - win, win, win, win, win. Play golf, have fun, enjoy friendly 'competition' and honour legends. The result is a little irrelevant IMO.
Posted: 27/01/2009 22:03
For all I know the players might not think this way, they may love him, he becomes a succesful captain, cup comes back to Europe and happy days. But doesn't that prove exactly the point why he should be given a chance?
No, I don't think it PROVES anything. We are only speculating about this situation and we will find out the outcome pretty soon. We can then start a whole new thread and give the decision our backing or not.
BTW right from the announcemnt that Faldo would be capt, I hated the idea. Paul Azinger summed him up perfectly when he said that he never heard him speak to anyone during 20 odd years as a pro but now (then) you couldn't get him to shut his mouth. Whatever the result it was always going to be the Faldo show. It was sad to see us lose in the end and that was the 1st time that Faldo showed real class, it must be horrible to have a mic shoved in your face as the winning putt drops for the opposition and add to that the dreadful U-S-A chant ringing everywhere. I also don't subscribe to the theory that x golfer deserves it because of their past good golf. Whilst that undoubtedly has to be a factor, what happened to getting the right man for the job. His previous golf will not hold any water on the 1st tee, because he won't be hitting any shots. To me, the most important critea is to be liked as well as respected by the majority of the players, he must then surround himself with knowledgeable and respected helpers. It's then purely down to man management which winning x majors some xx odd years ago may not be of any use. Whilst I hated the idea at the time, the USA winning the last cup has certainly re-ignited the event. The event at Celtic Manor could be very special.
Posted: 28/01/2009 08:03
These comments are nearly all about whether Lyle deserves it or not. I thought that the Ryder cup had got beyond the concept of "Buggins's turn". The decision should simply be who is the best person for the job. There's no denying Lyle's career, but that was over (in any meaningful sense) nearly 20 years ago. How can he possibly be place to make his captains picks, or figure out pairings? Sorry, but he's missed his chance.
Posted: 28/01/2009 08:54
It will be Monty 2010 and Ollie 2012. I personally dont see why not either. Lyle wont be picked due to his age and I tend to agree with that. I think Monty will have more heart than most for the job plus his pairings wont be scribbled on a piece of paper. They will be etched in his brain. He knows how this competition works inside out and will have played alongside most of his potential charges in the RC. However, after saying the above the only reason the Ollie wont get it is Monty wouldnt be the wise choice for 2012 in America. PS far too much is made of Faldo and Europe's failure last year. The course was picked and set up for American style golf. You dont have to think and collaborate with your team mate to get round there. We lost it where we usually win it. In the pairings. The team aspect of the tournament was less of a deciding factor.
Posted: 28/01/2009 11:53
Yep. May the selectors have dog sh!t smeared in their eyes! 
Posted: 28/01/2009 13:18
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