STAFFAN, Ireland – When someone informed Colin Montgomerie yesterday that Stewart Cink fingered him as the most dangerous player on the European team, the Scot offered a devilish smirk, then fired a warning shot back at the Americans.
“I take that as a highest compliment, of course,” Montgomerie said. “But I must admit, I’m one of a very good 12 here, a very good 12.
This is probably, hate to say before the event starts, but it’s our strongest team we’ve ever put together. I think that rings true.” Considering the Europeans have won four of the last five Ryder Cup Matches and seven of the last 10, Montgomerie’s pronouncement was all but a guarantee Europe will whip the United States when the matches begin Friday here at the KClub outside Dublin.
Of course, if there’s anyone who deserves to carry that kind of cocksure confidence it’s Montgomerie. Despite his numerous heartbreaking failures to win a major championship, he has been to the Ryder Cup what FedEx is to overnight delivery. Appearing on seven consecutive Ryder Cup teams for Europe beginning in 1991, Montgomerie has compiled a 19-8-5 record including an unbeaten mark of 5-0-2 in singles.
Two years ago at Oakland Hills, he and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington teamed to defeat Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the opening match, setting the tone for Europe’s recording-setting margin of victory, 18 ½ to 9 1/2. In fact, it was Montgomerie who secured the triumph by holing the clinching putt during his singles win over David Toms. Not bad for someone who was a captain’s pick after struggling through a highlypublicized divorce and poor form in 2003.
“The last few years were not good, both on and off the course,” he said. “That (captain’s) pick that I had two years ago, I believe saved me in many, many ways.” Montgomerie can chirp now. This is his arena, one where he thrives. One where the memory of his collapse on the 72nd hole to lose the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot is less painful. One where he is a hero instead of the goat. That is why if the Americans are going to beat the Europeans, they will need to make an early statement by defeating a Montgomerieled pairing.
Yesterday, Montgomerie pointed to the victory over Woods and Mickelson, the world’s top two players at the time, as the turning point of the ’04 Matches at Oakland Hills. The Americans can return the favor this year by beating Montgomerie, who hasn’t lost his opening match of a Ryder Cup since 1997.
Yes, there will still be plenty of golf remaining, but at least it will chip away at the cloak of invincibility Montgomerie seems to wear in this event.
Woods and Jim Furyk versus Montgomerie and Harrington in the opening match would be delicious and is certainly part of the strategy U.S. captain Tom Lehman must consider.
In the media center, away from the thousands who came to the K Club yesterday to watch the first full day of practices, Montgomerie spoke of how the Europeans enjoy a “home course” advantage.
“We’re very comfortable around here,” he said. “We’re comfortable in the hotel.
We’ve all stayed in the hotel many, many times before and therefore our home advantage should help us.” He also scoffed at the notion of a newfound team spirit among the normally self-centered Americans, reminding all that it’s the camaraderie the Europeans share that has carried them to their recent Ryder Cup dominance.
“That’s one of Europe’s strengths, if not Europe’s greatest strength,” he said.
Having team spirit is great, but what the Americans need to do is make a statement, a strong statement like beating Montgomerie in the opening round.
