Colin Montgomerie is the European team's totem. It's not just a figurative label, rather a tangible appreciation of his Ryder Cup record. The Scot has never lost in six singles matches - four wins and two halves - was a pivotal figure in Europe's success at the Belfry in 2001 and, despite qualifying for Oakland Hills as one of captain Bernhard Langer's two wild cards, he'll be a central figure once again this week.

His name is liberally sprinkled throughout players' interviews this week, with the Europeans deferring to his leadership and the Americans acknowledging his doughtiness as a competitor. Montgomerie has endured a fractious last 18 months when both his game and private life have sundered. His recent divorce from Eimear was emotionally draining but has possibly fostered a new resolve.

The scars are still livid, as was evident in his plea not to have his private life examined in a media forum yesterday at Oakland Hills. Yet for all the celebration by third parties of the player's Ryder Cup record, the man in question was remarkably disarming about his role.

"Personally this event means absolutely nothing to me. Never has. And actually never will, personally. I'm here as part of a team. Bernhard selected me as a wild card pick to help the team cause. He felt that I could help the team gain 14 or 14½ points that we require to win. That's my job this week.

"It doesn't matter who attains the points, five points, three points, two points. So, personally, my personal record in this event is meaningless to me. I'm just glad I've been part of, in my six previous Ryder Cups, I've been privileged to win three times."

Montgomerie was keen to deflect the bouquets, preferring instead to highlight his good fortune in having partners like Nick Faldo and Langer, whom he insists taught him a great deal.

But it's slightly disingenuous of Montgomerie to suggest that the Ryder Cup means nothing to him. It's probably more accurate to highlight his affinity for team golf and the selfless ethic that demands.

"I do enjoy the competition and enjoy the position I have. I was the leader of the pack in Europe for a while, I suppose, through those seven years of mine, and I took on that role towards the end of that time. Usually when you enjoy something you're good at it. I think that my personality and character comes out in this event.

"You are playing not just for your country but your continent, but more importantly for your 11 other team-mates and your captain. We're a close-knit team and that is where the pressure builds from: it's actually not letting down your other 11 team-mates.

"We are used to letting ourselves down on a regular basis, week-in, week-out. In this situation, we're not, and it's different."

The only inkling of personal preening, in a very moderate manner, he expressed was in reflecting on his singles record. "The one thing I'm proud of is my singles record, not having lost if you like. I've been close a number of times but haven't lost."

In regard to the singles it has emerged that Montgomerie pursues a routine that helps shut out pressure. He practised this the last time at the Belfry prior to his match against Scott Hoch on the final day.

Basically he recites his 37 times tables on the first tee. "I tend to have this cue that takes my mind off what I'm doing. I did that in the singles the last time and I think I got to three (times 37) before my name was announced. Thank goodness that happened at that stage because I certainly didn't know what four (times 37) was."

Inevitably he was called upon to talk about the baiting he received the last time the Ryder Cup was played in America, at Brookline Country Club in 1999. The Scot, like so many others this week, has tired of the references and, one senses, prefers not to re-visit those memories publicly.

He responded succinctly: "I think that's been spoken about an awful lot and probably been over-analysed and over-written about. I don't think we are going to have that problem here."

Montgomerie's assertion may not be proved correct. The accepted wisdom locally is that despite the blanket ban on alcohol on the course, the atmosphere could prove every bit as boisterous as Brookline.

Monty will remain a target, a backhanded compliment to the man who has done so much to underpin three European triumphs in the last six meetings.