Montgomerie Selects Molinari, Harrington, & Donald for Ryder Cup
by Ryan Ballengee on Aug 29, 2010 1:43 PM EDT
in Pro Golf
Email
Print
Colin Montgomerie has just announced his European Ryder Cup team. Filling out his squad in addition to the 9 automatic qualifiers, Montgomerie has selected Edoardo Molinari, Padraig Harrington, and Luke Donald as his captain's picks.
Molinari birdied the final three holes at Gleneagles to win the tournament in what Montgomerie called the most impressive win he saw in 25 years on the European Tour. Donald shot 28 on his opening nine in the final round of The Barclays, which likely set up this decision being pushed back.
Montgomerie said the World Cup champion Molinari brothers will play together in the team match rounds. The Italian duo will not be the first, or even the second, set of brothers to play together in the matches. When the matches were just GB&I versus the USA, Bernard & Geoffrey Hunt played in '63, and Charles and Ernest Whitcombe were on the squad in '29 and '31. A third Whitcombe brother, Res, played with his brother in 1935.
The captain said that he would not have made different picks than the ones he announced today if he had a week to wait like his counterpart Corey Pavin. There's deep skepticism about that statement provided up to two picks were likely determined in the last six hours - or at least by Saturday night.
Monty says he feels sorry for Paul Casey and Justin Rose were unfortunately left off of the team due to a "wealth of riches" available for participants. He called Rose while he was warming up in preparation for his final round of The Barclays. The impact that will have on his round today remains to be seen. Paul Casey does not yet know his fate officially as his round is ongoing.
Additionally, Montgomerie announced Sergio Garcia has accepted a position as a fourth vice-captain. Monty said Garcia asked what he could do to help bring the Ryder Cup back to Europe. Clearly, playing wasn't an option between how he played and his self-imposed vacation from golf these next two months.
Rhys Davies - a Welshman - will by Monty's personal assistant that week, with Monty citing the hope of having some kind of Welsh representation on the team.
9 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Oh my Gawd, ya gotta love it..
All of the pundits who posted here with their faulty analysis and infallible opinions…I think that Monty made his picks just to show how wrong you can be….I guess, or maybe it’s just me….I won’t rush to judgement, just wait for the pronouncement…..I wonder if Wendy has put her pence (s) on Loverly Luke yet….I bet she bets the farm…or at least some tomatoes……hardy, har har…..STUB
I think it was simple for Monty: pick the hottest guys at this second in time. At least that explains Molinari and Donald. Needs a veteran to even out the team, so he went with paddy.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroom, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
Hey EASY...are you all right
the BW didn’t do a smack down on ya or anything whilst you was lookin at all them Bikinis did she….And (wink, wink) I know ya told her about the new driver….Hey EM…Easy is in love with his driver…..tell him how fickle they can be…not listening, treating you badly at the wrong time, etc….jist sayin here…..STUB
I liked that Monty kept bragging on the depth of European golf – that he was picking from 20 names for three spots.
Still don’t understand the Harrington pick. Monty going on about stature and work ethic. That made sense with Darren Clarke because he had a terrific RC record.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Harrington or Casey..
Neither have great records and it was between those 2 who got left out. Plus, Harrington is seen as a Faldo type leader of a pairing. Look to have him with Macllroy…Sort of a Faldo- Woosie pairing …and he would mix better than perhaps Casey would, IMO.
But Casey has a much better match play record with the WGC and the World Match Play. Paddy has 3 majors – yippee. He has struggled since making those swing changes.
Either way – I still have to go with a Euro win.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
It'll be close..
the match play in the WGC events I don’t pay too much attention to…Tiger does well in them and struggles in team formats at times. It might be how Paddy gells with teamates in a better way than Casey for all we know.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Have a golf story tip? Contact editor Charles Boyer and he will follow the story! Thanks!
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
