COLIN MONTGOMERIE has no idea about his chances of becoming Ryder Cup captain again next week, but admitted he is “excited” and “very flattered” that his name has been put in the frame for Gleneagles next year.
From it appearing to be a straight duel between Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke for the job of leading Europe out next year, things have taken an unexpected twist.
Clarke said last month there might be a case for bringing back a former captain as a consequence of 63-year-old golfing great Tom Watson being put in charge of the Americans.
“I’ve always said that we need the best man for the job, whoever that is,” winning 2010 captain Montgomerie said in Durban, where he is part of the 33-strong field for the Volvo Champions tournament starting today.
“And if we’re going for the best man for the job then that doesn’t say you shouldn’t do it again.
“I thought it was between Darren and Paul until Darren said something, then my name was mentioned.
“I’ve never canvassed, as I didn’t last time. I’ve not spoken to anybody about this. But I’ve always felt that if I was asked, I would do it and that’s still the case.”
Montgomerie, Clarke and McGinley are all on the tournament committee that will meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Thomas Bjorn, himself another potential future captain and, like the two Irishmen, assistants to Montgomerie and then Jose Maria Olazabal, is the committee chairman and is another waiting to see how the discussion goes although he insists he has no hidden agenda in terms of how different decisions might affect his own chances down the road.
“If you sit down in a 15-man committee and 12 think Monty should be captain then you’ve got to go with him,” the Dane said. “I don’t have a strong view against appointing somebody twice but there a lot of other people I think could do a very good job.”
Bjorn also believes there is no need to change tack just because it is five-time Open champion Watson.
“I was asked if it was a desperate thing (by the Americans). No, I think it’s pretty good idea by them, but it’s different.
“Yet we seem to be able to win with the system that we have (five of the last six matches have gone Europe’s way). Why should we change it and why should we change our view on who should be captain?
“I don’t want us to react to Tom Watson being their captain. I want us to appoint who we think is the right man for the job.”
Bjorn has sounded out many of September’s side and will sit down at the start of next week with European Tour chief executive George O’Grady, director of Tour Operations David Garland and Ryder Cup director Richard Hills.
“With every other issue I know how the Tour is thinking and I sometimes have to guide the committee in the right direction but on this I can just say (to his fellow players) ‘this is for you to decide’.”
As chairman, Bjorn will vote only if there is deadlock; it may be that a decision is deferred but if the captain is picked on Tuesday, Bjorn says the announcement will be made straight away.