Golf:Sam Torrance believes the fact Colin Montgomerie is still in a playing capacity will boost Europe's chances of success at the next year's Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales.
One of the criticisms of Nick Faldo’s captaincy in Valhalla last year was that he did not have as strong a bond with the players as previous captains did.
The 52-year-old had not been playing regularly on the European Tour for a number of years prior to the 2008 Ryder Cup, spending the majority of his time on off-course activities.
Montgomerie, meanwhile, has played in 22 tournaments this season alone and Torrance believes his regular appearances on the Tour enables him to bond with
other players as well as see first hand potential candidates for his team at Celtic Manor.
“”He will be a very good captain and is still on the Tour. That is imperative I think,“ said Torrance.
“When I was captain I was still on Tour and playing with them week in, week out. You can create a bond and camaraderie with the others. Things like that are very important.”
While Torrance is confident Montgomerie will prove to be a good captain, he is unsure over his fellow Scot’s recent suggestion that he would consider Bernhard Langer as a wild-card selection.
The 52-year-old German would undoubtedly bring plenty of experience having played in 10 Ryder Cups, while he has also picked up eight victories in 40 events on the US Seniors Tour.
Montgomerie suggested last month he would not rule him out for one of his three wild card picks but Torrance admitted it is a scenario he cannot see happening.
“He would need to be playing very well,” he added.
“Who knows, he is the best senior golfer in the world but whether he is good enough to be on the Ryder Cup team I doubt to be honest.”
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