Scandinavian Masters: Colin Montgomerie has said if he does not qualify automatically for September's Ryder Cup, it would be almost a greater honour to him to be chosen as a wild card by European captain Bernhard Langer.
Montgomerie is 21st on the European Ryder Cup table, with the top-10 being included in the team in five weeks after the BMW International.
Even if he won this week's Scandinavian Masters he would still not be lifted inside the top 10. He will play only four of the next qualifying events, missing next week's Dutch Open, so the door is gradually closing on automatic qualification.
"It would mean almost more to me than qualifying," said Montgomerie. "I've never needed a pick because I've qualified in the top five every time in my six times (in the team).
"From what I've heard I've got the support of the players, yourselves (the press) and the public; I've had letters, e-mails and hits on the website.
"The only one I've not heard from is the guy that counts! I don't expect to. He knows what I can do. If he decides on someone else, then that's his choice, his prerogative."
Montgomerie still hopes to make it by right, however, and is optimistic about his chances of lifting a fourth Scandinavian Masters title, especially having won two of them at this week's course.
"I've got my game back in shape. Loch Lomond (Scottish Open) and the Open were mental strengtheners," added Montgomerie, revealing he had turned down the chance to be fitted for his Ryder Cup clothing when asked at Royal Troon.
"I told them there's still plenty of time for that."
Ryder Cup colleague Paul McGinley will join Montgomerie and Michael Campbell for the opening two rounds, and they will be immediately behind the three-ball of Graeme McDowell, who won this title two years ago in only his fourth start on the European Tour, Lee Westwood and Thomas Levet.
Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Gary Murphy will complete the Irish line-up.
While several players will be looking to boost their Ryder Cup chances, defending champion Adam Scott is seeking a different career stepping-stone.
When the 24-year-old Australian captured his fourth European Tour title at the same Barseback club venue last year, he soon followed up by winning on the US Tour.
Now Scott is targeting another victory in Sweden as a prelude to contending strongly in the final major of the year, next month's US PGA Championship.
"I'm hoping to come good again this week," said Scott. "I'm not really going to be thinking hard about the US PGA for another week or so, but a win would give me a lot of selfconfidence."
