Price could feature in captain Monty’s backroom line-up

Welshman Phillip Price could be one of Monty’s vice cptains for the Ryder Cup

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie could appoint Welshman Phillip Price as an assistant captain, in a bid to gain the home advantage against the US in October.

Montgomerie, speaking at a press conference at the Ryder Cup venue, which this week hosts the Celtic Manor Wales Open, hailed Price’s heroics at The Belfry in 2002, where he beat Phil Mickelson to inspire Europe to victory.

“I think there is every chance that we’ll have some sort of Welsh backroom help,” said Monty.

“We haven’t finalised the backroom staff yet a I’ve got to allow those potential vice-captains the chance to qualify for the team first.

“I’ll know much more after the Open Championship at St Andrews next month.”

Ian Woosnam, who captained the Europeans to victory at the K Club in 2006, is another potential Welsh inclusion. Irishman Paul McGinley and Dane Thomas Bjorn are favourites to take up the roles as Monty’s eyes and ears at Celtic Manor from October 1-3 this year, but there is still room for a Welshman, with Monty looking to appoint four assistants to help him to victory against the US.

“My job here is to win the Ryder Cup,” said Montgomerie. “We are in Wales, we are very proud to be here in Wales and from the Welsh government right down they have made us feel extremely welcome. But my main task here is to regain the Ryder Cup for the European Tour.

“We will have four matches on the course at any one time and I would like to have somebody walking with each game and I oversee the whole thing. So four vice captains seems to be the number.”

Price, who lives just 15 miles from the Newport venue, has revealed that he would be delighted to be involved if Monty were to pick him.

“I’d love to be involved in some way, shape or form,” said the 43-year-old. “I’m a member so I have tickets for my family and, whatever else comes along, it will be a important week for me whatever role I do.

“Monty has not spoken a word to me about being an assistant and he is the one that has to decide and consider whether he things that’s going to help things, or does he think having a Welshman makes no difference?

“But I think the crowd love Monty and having him here will get the crowd excited enough.

“I played with him in the Wales Open last year for a few days and he’s very popular.

“I think it was a great choice to have Monty as captain here in Wales, as he’s more popular here that everywhere except Scotland.

“Obviously he has a course named after him here at the Celtic Manor and maybe he’s always supported the Wales Open – and he was in a great mood when he played last year and the crowd loved him.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if there was no Welsh involvement in Monty’s backroom team.

“I think he’s got to pick what he thinks best, I don’t think anybody really knows, he’s just got to pick the guys who he thinks are going to get him the most support from the crowd.”

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