Wildcards are almost impossible to pick, says Montgomerie

Wed, Aug 25 10 01:57 AM

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie believes it will be almost impossible to choose his three wildcards on Sunday.

The top nine players in the points table after the final round of this week's Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland will automatically make the team for the Oct. 1-3 match against the United States at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Montgomerie will then complete his 12-man lineup with three wildcard selections and his job has been made more difficult by Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Justin Rose electing to play in the United States this week.

"This isn't difficult, it's more or less impossible," Europe's captain told Sky Sports News on Tuesday. "It is most unfortunate I am going to have to leave out world stars.

"I am going to have to leave out players that feel they can help the European Tour cause."

Triple major winner Harrington, world number nine Casey, 10th-ranked Donald and number 22 Rose are all outside the top nine in the Ryder Cup points table.

"It is a bit like (England soccer manager) Fabio Capello having to leave out (Arsenal winger) Theo Walcott I suppose," added Montgomerie. "He could only take 23 (to the World Cup in June), I can only take 12.

"I wish I could take 20, I really do, because 20 deserve their spots this year. They have played great, the standard on tour has been the best it's ever been.

"This has been the hardest team to make of any Ryder Cup team I have been involved with," said Montgomerie who made the first of eight playing appearances in the biennial team event in 1991. "I cannot please everybody on Sunday night."

Peter Hanson, who climbed to eighth in the points table after last Sunday's win at the Czech Open, criticised the Johnnie Walker absentees.

"If you really want to make the team...you should be here and playing," said the Swede after arriving at Gleneagles.

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