Europe
Profile: Colin Montgomerie
| Born | Glasgow, Scotland |
|---|---|
| age | 43 |
| height | 6ft 1in |
| Turned Pro | 1987 |
| World ranking | 14 |
| Appearances | (7) 1991-93-95-97-99-2002-04 |
| Won | Lost | Halved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Foursomes | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Fourball | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | 8 | 5 |
| Win Rate | 67% |
You can say what you like about him; grumpy, overweight, temperamental, best player never to have won a major. All of which might be valid but when it comes to Ryder Cup there has been no better player for Europe recent times.
Monty has, quite simply, been the leading light for his captains both when leading from the front to put points on the board and inspiring the rest of the troops. Any team with the burly Scot in it is a better one, even at the age of 43.
The unprecedented record of eight-times European number one – seven of those were consecutive from 1993 – illustrates the consistency of his play to have remained within the game's elite for so long. Sure, there will always be a blot on his copybook if he never wins a major, and let's face it, time is running out.
His previous best chances of winning an elusive major came at the US Open in 1994 and 1997 - when Ernie Els beat him both times – then he lost the 1995 USPGA in a playoff to Steve Elkington.
After a slump in form several years ago he bounced back at last year's Open in St Andrews where only Tiger Woods finished ahead of him. And perhaps his best chance to date was this year's US Open at Winged Foot when a par at the last would have got the monkey off his back.
This will be Monty's eighth consecutive Cup appearance having played 32 matches, won 19, halved five and lost eight. At Oakland Hills in 2004 Monty had the distinction of holing the all-important putt which secured a momentous victory for Bernhard Langer's side.
An inspirational presence who always manages show off his best in the heat of Ryder Cup battle.
- Paul Gallagher