Colin Montgomerie tonight cast fresh doubt upon his participation in the Ryder Cup despite a top 10 finish in the Linde German Masters.
Montgomerie carded a closing round of 67 at Gut Larchenhof to finish in ninth place on 16 under, six shots behind winner Stephen Leaney of Australia.
But the former European number one revealed he was still troubled by a season-long back injury and would pull out of the contest at the Belfry if the did not feel he could play in all five series of matches, regardless of captain Sam Torrance's wishes.
"I've finished with a 67, played well and shot 16 under and was 15 under for the last three rounds and that's good," said Montgomerie, who was confident on Wednesday he would be able to play all five matches as he made his first appearance since pulling out of the NEC Invitational with the back complaint three weeks ago.
"There's nothing wrong with the golf. It's just if I can play - and if I can't play five times for Sam I won't go, whether he wants me to play or not.
"I have to be able to play five times and I'm not sure I can. My gut feeling is I am going but it got quite painful at the end. The pain is tiring.
"Hopefully I will be able to play next week (in the American Express Championships in Ireland) and therefore I will let Sam know my decision after next week."
-PA