ABU DHABI // Shortly after Colin Montgomerie saved par on the final hole of his third round to keep his name in red figures, Europe's Ryder Cup captain looked up at the leaderboard and permitted himself a rare grin. He could not have asked for a better cluster of names to be coming down the home stretch of the National Course battling for the lead going into today's exciting finale.
Pleased that he will be the first European captain to have three wildcard selections for this year's battle to regain the trophy from the Americans, he would be delighted if those he has at the top of his wish list do not need to ask for a helping hand into the team. He hinted earlier this week that Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer and Alvaro Quiros would make excellent debutants in the biennial knockout competition. Ian Poulter, who was one of Nick Faldo's two choices in 2008, was also in his thoughts.
"The leaderboard is looking good as far as my job goes," said Montgomerie, who will rely on the two qualifying points lists for his first nine representatives. "The team will be strong whatever happens. I'm glad to see Alvaro, Martin and Rory up there. You add Ross Fisher into the mix and you have four fantastic rookies. It's super. "They all want to make the team so badly. I know that. They've told me. It's very exciting. It's tough with only nine qualifying. But I would rather it was that way with a tough qualifying process.
"I will have an issue with my three picks. I'm going to have 10 potential clients for three spots all feeling that they have a right to be there. It's going to be difficult, but I've thoroughly enjoyed my time so far as Ryder Cup captain and it's only going to get better." Montgomerie, who was a no-nonsense, inspirational team leader during his successful playing days - he was beaten only seven times in 36 rubbers of singles, foursomes and fourballs - indicated that he will adopt the same focused approach to captaincy.
"This year I'm going to be talking team set-up and not trousers, shirts, menus and rooms," he said in advance of the eagerly anticipated showdown in the Welsh resort of Celtic Manor in October. "I want to talk about the players and the make-up of the team." He signed for a two-over par 74 yesterday.
