Monty: All 12 will play day one

European Ryder Cup skipper knows Friday pairings

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has revealed he already knows his pairings for the opening day of next week’s showdown with the US – and added that ALL 12 players will take part in Friday’s proceedings.

The skipper revealed that he had consulted with his four vice captains – Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia and Thomas Bjorn – before taking the decision to send out all 12 players for the first day’s play at Celtic Manor.

The Scot also let slip that he knows who will team up for the opening fourballs.

“I know who is going to be on that first tee on Friday morning and they’ve been informed so that they can prepare accordingly,” said Montgomerie ahead of the match, which takes place from October 1-3.

“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.

“So barring accidents, illness, mishaps or whatever, all 12 players will play the first day.”

Though Montgomerie refrained from divulging choices, it is believed that Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari will play alongside one another, while Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell has expressed his hopes that he and compatriot Rory McIlroy will join forces in Wales, saying their ‘dynamic’ has been tried and tested at last year’s Vivendi Trophy.

The captain also expressed his joy at the news world No.3 Lee Westwood has declared himself 100 per cent fit enough to play a full role in the event, having recovered from a serious calf injury.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has revealed he already knows his pairings for the opening day of next week’s Ryder Cup – and added that ALL 12 players will take part in Friday’s proceedings.

The skipper revealed that he had consulted with his four vice captains – Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia and Thomas Bjorn – before taking the decision to send out all 12 players for the first day’s play at Celtic Manor.

The Scot also let slip that he knows who will team up for the opening fourballs.

“I know who is going to be on that first tee on Friday morning and they’ve been informed so that they can prepare accordingly,” said Montgomerie ahead of the match, which takes place from October 1-3.

“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.

“So barring accidents, illness, mishaps or whatever, all 12 players will play the first day.”

Though Montgomerie refrained from divulging choices, it is believed that Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari will play alongside one another, while Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell has expressed his hopes that he and compatriot Rory McIlroy will join forces in Wales, saying their ‘dynamic’ has been tried and tested at last year’s Vivendi Trophy.

The captain also expressed his joy at the news world No.3 Lee Westwood has declared himself 100 per cent fit enough to play a full role in the event, having recovered from a serious calf injury.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered