Monty aims for Ryder Cup team spot

European skipper aims to make team as a player

Victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has his sights firmly set on a place in the Ryder Cup team for Gleneagles in 2014 – but as a player, not a captain.

The Scot, who led Europe to Ryder Cup glory at Celtic Manor in October, last played in the event back in 2006 aged 43.

Four years ago, he was world No.14. To emulate that, the 47-year-old would have to climb a mammoth 391 places from his current ranking at 405.

“I would love to do that in 2012 and, more especially, to play in 2014,” said Montgomerie. “I would be 51, but in golfing terms, I suppose, still quite sprightly.”

The eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner has now re-dedicated himself to his own game following a successful stint as Ryder Cup skipper, and is more determined than ever to rediscover the form that has seen him earn 23½ points from 36 matches.

“I’ve got to get myself back in the top 50 in the world,” he continued. “Every competitor in the Ryder Cup, all 24 of them, were in the top 50 in the world this particular time.

“My world ranking has lapsed, so I’ve got to get myself back in and that means not just competing in tournaments but contending in them.

“If I can contend in them – and by that I mean top ten, top fives – then sometimes the door might open and I’ll walk through it and win events and that gets me back into the Ryder Cup theme.”

Montgomerie has also made it clear there will be no U-turn on his decision to step down as captain, indicating that he hopes one of his vice captains will step up to the plate.

“It is only right that one of my vice captains take over 2012 and another of them will take over in 2014,” he added. “But it doesn’t finish me with the Ryder Cup, hopefully.”

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