Harrington handed anchor role in Spain

Padraig Harrington will anchor the British & Irish team when the Seve Trophy tees off tomorrow morning in Spain as Colin …

Padraig Harrington will anchor the British & Irish team when the Seve Trophy tees off tomorrow morning in Spain as Colin Montgomerie's side seek to retain the trophy won at Druids Glen a year ago.

Montgomerie, captain of the Britain and Ireland side, today unveiled his line-up for the opening fourballs of the match against Continental Europe tomorrow.

Harrington will partner Wales's Phillip Price as they take on Ryder Cup teammates Thomas Bjorn and Sergio Garcia at the El Saler course near Valencia.

With the match stretched to four days rather than three this year because of daylight problems it has been agreed by both captains that all 10 players will play in the fourballs tomorrow and Friday.

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And that means European captain Seve Ballesteros is back with Jose Maria Olazabal, with whom he formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history - 11 wins and two halves.

They will face Lee Westwood and David Howell (Darren Clarke's replacement) in the opening game and Ballesteros said of being reunited with Olazabal: "To walk to the first tee will be a very special moment - we're not only good friends, but we have a lot in common.

"We're nearly neighbours (he is from Santander and Olazabal from San Sebastian), have similar backgrounds and many great matches in the past. To have him next to me is a guarantee that the match will be good. He makes me feel comfortable."

Last year they produced what Ballesteros called their greatest-ever victory, playing the last eight holes in six under to beat Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley. Ballesteros finished the match by holing a 60-foot bunker shot on the 17th.

Montgomerie temporarily forgot Clarke's absence when he said: "I think 12 of the 20 here will compete in the Ryder Cup next year."

When he was reminded that the Ulsterman had dropped out to compete in the Tour Championship in Houston instead the Scot quickly added: "I'm sorry he is not here, but I understand his decision and wish him all the best."

Montgomerie is back with Paul Lawrie, his Ryder Cup partner from 1999 and his wild card pick for this week's match.

Close friends Justin Rose and Ian Poulter are paired, as are Brian Davis and Casey.

9.20 a.m.Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros v Lee Westwood and David Howell

9.35 a.m.Ignacio Garrido and Miguel Angel Jimenez v Brian Davis and Paul Casey

9.50 a.m.Alex Cejka and Raphael Jacquelin v Justin Rose and Ian Poulter

9.50 a.m.Fredrik Jacobson and Niclas Fasth v Paul Lawrie and Colin Montgomerie

10.05 a.m.Thomas Bjorn and Sergio Garcia v Phillip Price and Padraig Harrington