Ryder Cup 2010: European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has been given a third wild card for next year's match at Celtic Manor in Wales. The United States won back the trophy last September after Paul Azinger sought and was granted a further two captain's picks, making four in all.

Montgomerie pushed for an increase on Europe’s two when the players’ committee met tonight at the Co Louth club in Baltray, where The 3 Irish Open begins on Thursday.

The decision to grant him just one extra one, though, shows the importance still placed on trying to get the circuit’s stars to play in as many Tour events as possible.

Paul Casey and Ian Poulter were both selected by Nick Faldo last year after deciding to stay in America for the final stretch of the qualifying race.

Poulter in particular was criticised because, with one counting event to go, he could have still qualified automatically, but he stayed away from the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland.

Faldo then left out Darren Clarke despite the 2006 cup hero winning two tournaments.

Under the new system five players will still be selected from the European money list and four rather than five from the world ranking points gained in the 12-month qualifying period starting this September.