WITH COLIN Montgomerie’s prospects of becoming the next Ryder Cup captain hardening by the minute, the European Tour has said it would fully investigate suggestions that the misuse of inside information had been behind the Scotsman’s sudden elevation from rank outsider to overwhelming favourite to lead the team at Celtic Manor next year.

Hitherto, it had been generally assumed the captaincy was Jose Maria Olazabal’s for the taking, but that apparently changed at a meeting here this week of the tournament players’ committee – which picks the captain – during which the Scotsman’s name appears to have been thrust to the forefront of the deliberations.

“All will be revealed,” said George O’Grady, the Tour’s chief executive, when that meeting adjourned, adding committee members needed time to inform candidates of their thinking before making an announcement in Dubai this month.

O’Grady was more forthcoming on Thursday after it appeared the potential candidates learned all they needed to know from the on-line betting exchanges. In the aftermath of Tuesday’s meeting Montgomerie, who was a 50 to 1 shot last weekend, suddenly appeared on the Betfair market as an odds-on chance alongside Olazabal.

“No decision has been taken so far,” the Tour’s chief executive said. “We are aware of the movements in the various odds. We invite any gaming company to contact the European Tour with any evidence of betting irregularity. This will be fully investigated.”

For its part, Betfair said last night it would be happy to co-operate with any sporting body which had concerns over gambling. “Uniquely, we have a full record of every market on our exchange. We know the identity of every person who has made a bet and exactly how much money is involved,” said a spokesman.

While Betfair said it is not overly concerned in this case, not least because the amounts were relatively small, the mere whiff of any impropriety over the selection process for the captaincy will be embarrassing for the Tour, which views the event as the crown jewel of its schedule.

Such reasoning was no doubt behind the decision to advance the decision from May to this month, but in the circumstances even that might be too far away for the Tour’s comfort.

What is clear, however, is that the issue has come down to two candidates, Montgomerie and Olazabal, with the Scot favourite, especially as the Spaniard has withdrawn from next week’s Qatar Masters due to injury.

“I can categorically deny that Jose Maria has been offered the job,” his manager said. “He was sounded out four weeks ago by Thomas Bjorn and since then we have heard nothing.”

Montgomerie, on the other hand, appears to have heard something and, interestingly, appears to have abandoned his stated desire to attend the 2010 Ryder Cup as a player. “Having played in eight Ryder Cup matches, it doesn’t really affect me how I would help the European cause. I would like to help in any way, shape or form,” he said with a smile.

On the course yesterday, Rory McIlroy continued his fine form to sign for a flawless, three-under-par 69 to lie on nine under, just two shots behind co-leaders Richard Green of Australia and England’s Graeme Storm.

Pádraig Harrington, having opened with only a 71, charged to just four off the lead with a 66.

Anxious to finish before the light went, the Dubliner played the last two holes at speed – out of character for a man described by Retief Goosen as “no boy racer” – and birdied them both.

Just under 30 players have still to complete their second rounds.

• Guardian Service