"These are interesting times" - Ryder Cup legend handed major role within European Tour Group

Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie has been appointed to the board of directors of the European Tour Group. 
 
The 62-year-old Scot will replace Ove Sellberg, who is stepping down as part of the board's rotational system and will join the tournament committee alongside five others.

Also on the board are his fellow Ryder Cup winning captain, Thomas Bjorn, and former colleagues Paul Eales, Chris Hannell, Gregory Havret and David Howell. 

Montgomerie's first board meeting will be held on 23 March. 

Montgomerie said: "I am very much looking forward to joining the board of the European Tour Group and I consider it a great honour to be asked.
 
"I pride myself in the fact that I was always one hundred percent loyal to the Tour in my playing days, and indeed I continue to be so. 

"These are interesting times in professional golf and I hope I will be able to support, encourage and assist the Tour going forward in any way I can."

Montgomerie is considered of the most successful and influential players of his generation.
 
A winner of more than 50 professional tournaments worldwide in a storied career, Montgomerie also holds the record of winning the most Harry Vardon Trophies as European number one with eight titles to his name, including a remarkable seven in a row between 1993 and 1999.
 
On the formerly known European Tour, Montgomerie won 31 times including, memorably, three consecutive PGA Championships at Wentworth from 1998 to 2000. 

He continued his trophy-laden career when turning 50, with notable success on both the Staysure Legends Tour and the PGA Tour Champions in the US.
 
Included in that were victories in three senior major championships; the Senior PGA Championship in both 2014 and 2015, and the U.S. Senior Open in 2014.
 
He is also widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time in the Ryder Cup arena, playing eight times for Europe, never losing a singles match and returning 23 ½ points from his 36 matches.
 
Montgomerie helped Europe to victory in five of those eight matches and was also the winning Captain at Celtic Manor in Wales in 2010 when Europe regained the Ryder Cup by virtue of a thrilling 14 ½ - 13 ½ triumph.

Eric Nicoli, chairman of the European Tour Group, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Colin to our board of directors.
 
"His playing record speaks for itself and his knowledge of the game gleaned from almost 40 years as a professional is unparalleled. 

"I know he will be an important asset for us as we continue to develop all aspects of the European Tour Group moving forward."
 
Nicoli heads the list of non-executive directors on the board alongside Abdulla Al Naboodah, Penny Avis, Martha Brass, Martin Gilbert and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.