GOLF EUROPEAN TOUR:EUROPEAN RYDER Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has revealed that all 12 of his team members will play on the opening day of competition against the US at Celtic Manor next week.
Montgomerie consulted with his four vice-captains before announcing his intention to send out each of his players on October 1st. “I know who is going to be on that first tee on Friday morning and they’ve been informed so they can prepare accordingly,” Montgomerie told reporters at the Vivendi Cup yesterday. In fact, everybody knows what is going on and it’s important that they understand that they are all going to be playing and that they are going to be available to play, so they know exactly where they stand.
“I’ve said from the word go, that I didn’t want this to be blocked out and hidden and in the dark in anyway. This is a very open campaign and it goes through to the players and it goes through to who is playing when and where.
“So barring accidents, illness mishaps or whatever all 12 players will play the first day.”
Pádraig Harrington, regarded by some as lucky to have been given a wild card, is in Paris looking to end over two years without a Tour victory.
For the first two rounds of the Vivendi Cup at Golf de Joyenval the Dubliner will have his brother Fergal alongside him, the tournament being conducted as a pro-am over two courses until it reaches its halfway point. “Monty has picked me for my experience and, of course, after getting a pick you’re always going to be keen to do it justice,” said Harrington.
“There’s a lot of stuff you could do behind the scenes as well that are important during the week. That’s every bit part of being in a team environment.
“You say the right things and do the right things and help people out as much as you can.”
Harrington, who added the event to his schedule after falling out of the FedEx Cup play-off series, failed to win a cup game in both the 2006 win at The K Club and the defeat in Louisville two years ago. That week came just after he had lifted the British Open and USPGA in under a month, and he admits: “I was flat then. Whatever happens this time I don’t think I’m going to be flat. I’m hoping for the Ryder Cup to be my peak this year.
“I’m working towards that and definitely there’s a sense of expectation. There’s definitely more pressure, but pressure brings a bit more adrenaline, more nerves, more focus.”
THE LOWDOWN
Course: Golf de Joyenval (Marly and Retz courses), Paris
Length: Marley 6,729 yards, Par 72. Retz 6,811, Par 72.
Prizemoney: €1.25 million (€208,330 for the winner)
Layout: Both courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr. There are some tight driving holes which make up for the lack of length. However, there are a couple of par threes over 200 yards.
Field: 120.
Course winner: Kenneth Ferrie in 2001.
On TV: Sky Sports (11.30am today)
Weather forecast: Some delays are expected as a thundery start is forecast. Expected to improve.
