No regrets . . . Colin Montgomerie has taken on the chin recent criticisms from Nick Faldo that he is in a "comfort zone". The Scot tees off at the Lancombe Trophy today. (Photograph: Paul Severn/Allsport).

Colin Montgomerie has declined to become involved in a public slanging match with Nick Faldo on the eve of the Ryder Cup.

Faldo spoke out at the weekend about Montgomerie being in a "comfort zone" in Europe and putting financial security ahead of major championship success.

But the 36-year-old Scot, winner of a staggering £9 million on his home circuit, yesterday made no apology for keeping his career and family base in Surrey rather than the United States.

"I haven't taken it to heart," said Montgomerie as he prepared for the Lancome Trophy in Paris, the final warm-up event for next week's match in Boston.

"I think something has been made out of nothing. Nick knows as well as I do that my family comes first and (that) I am as ambitious as the next guy.

"I have a great amount of respect for him (Faldo) and he also knows that with my family commitments I haven't been able to play full-time in America."

Montgomerie thought long and hard a few years ago about whether to take up membership of the US Tour. But the father-of-three decided against that option and has no regrets, even if he is still waiting for a first major title.

Faldo, on the other hand, has won three Opens and three Masters and that means more to him than all the millions he has earned.

"Monty likes to earn his fat cheques," Faldo added. "There is no harm in that if it's what motivates you, but most of us want to go for 10 claret jugs." He was referring to the Open championship trophy.

"Monty is great in his own back yard. He's comfortable and happy. He's in a comfort zone and I think he enjoys it."

The pair were partners in three Ryder Cups - 1993, 1995 and 1997 - but Faldo has been left out of the team this year.

Montgomerie's new team-mates and fellow Scots Andrew Coltart and Paul Lawrie also play this week, Coltart having become a father for the first time at the weekend.

In all, seven members of Mark James's side are in action at St Nom-la-Breteche and they are all having a get-together over dinner after today's first round.

"It's a chance to raise some things now before getting on Concorde on Monday," said Montgomerie.

"We've a lot of rookies on the team (seven) and we need to impress on them that the pressure is on the American team."

There are two extra ingredients to the mix at the Lancome Trophy which have nothing to do with the Ryder Cup. Ernie Els, the man who denied Montgomerie two US Opens, is in town and not in his Florida home - luckily for him with Hurricane Floyd passing through.

That kept Vijay Singh out of the event. The Fijian's house in Jacksonville was designed to withstand the predicted winds, but he decided not to leave his family.

The other ingredient is the presence again of Hampshire teenager Justin Rose. The boy wonder of last year's British Open tries again to make an impression on tour. So far the sorry tale of 14 months of endeavour is just three halfway cuts. While Montgomerie has earned nearly £1.2 million this year, Rose's sum total is under £7,000.