Captain calls for good start

GOLF ROYAL TROPHY:COLIN MONTGOMERIE believes a strong performance from Europe on the opening day of the Royal Trophy today is crucial in order to build up momentum for the remainder of the tournament.

The 46-year-old is combining the roles of captain and player as Europe look to wrest back the trophy from Asia following their disappointing 10-6 defeat last year.

With the competition similar to the Ryder Cup in that it features foursomes, four-ball and singles matches, it gives Montgomerie the ideal chance to test his abilities ahead of the showdown with US at Celtic Manor in October. And the eight-time Order of Merit winner believes it is crucial Europe do not find themselves trailing Asia heading into the weekend.

“The Friday here and at the Ryder Cup is the most important day to get some momentum going, take the lead and retain that,” said Montgomerie.

“To fight back from a deficit is extremely difficult these days, especially with the quality here and at the Ryder Cup.

“The captain’s decisions are most important on the first two days with regards to the pairings. It is my job to get the team playing as a team on the first two days.”

Montgomerie has paired himself with Spain’s Pablo Martin for today’s foursomes and they will be up against Japanese duo Koumei Oda and teenager Ryo Ishikawa.

Ishikawa enjoyed a superb 2009 season during which he won four tournaments and climbed to number 30 in the world, and Montgomerie has likened the 18-year-old to one of Europe’s most promising rising stars.

“We have someone in Europe in Rory McIlroy who is a very exciting prospect and you have someone in Asia who is on that level,” he added.

As well as Ishikawa, the Asia team features four other players who were part of last year’s winning side while Naomichi “Joe” Ozaki returns as captain.

Foursomes

Ryo Ishikawa (Jap)

and Koumei Oda (Jap)

v

Pablo Martin (Spain)

and Colin Montgomerie (Scot)

Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind)

and Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind)

v

Soren Kjeldsen (Den)

and Peter Hanson (Swe)

Charlie WI (Kor)

and Liang Wen-Chong (China)

v

Alexander Noren (Swe)

and Robert Karlsson (Swe)

Prayad Marksaeng (Thai)

and Thongchai Jaidee (Thai)

v

Simon Dyson (Eng)

and Henrik Stenson (Swe)