Monty confirms European team

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has confirmed his 12-man team that will do battle with America at Celtic Manor this October.

Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez confirmed their places in the team following the weekend’s Johnnie Walker Championship, leaving Monty with a virtually impossible decision to make.

Three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington, world number eight Paul Casey, world number 10 Luke Donald, two-time winner in America this season Justin Rose and Johnnie Walker champion Edoardo Molinari were all vying it out for one of Monty’s three wildcard picks.

That’s not to mention Europe’s longest hitter Alvaro Quiros, Welshman Rhys Davies, Swedes Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson and out-of-form Sergio Garcia who would all have been expecting to the there or therabouts but found themselves outside the reckoning.

Ultimately, the Scot went to for the experience of Harrington, fine Ryder Cup record of Donald and the birdie-birdie-birdie finish of Edoardo Molinari at the weekend was enough to edge out the unlucky Paul Casey.

Montgomerie said: “Padraig Harrington has won three major championships in the last three years… the stature of Padraig… he is someone we feel that nobody in match play golf wants to play.

“He is a great competitor and someone that will bring everything to the team that we know about European golf.

“Luke Donald has played seven times in Ryder Cup and has lost only once.

“And Edoardo Molinari, what can one say about his performance today? In my time on the European Tour, over 24 years, I have never seen a finish like that. All credit to him, having to win and doing just that.”

A disappointed Casey said: “I probably need time to take it in. Simple fact is I’m not on the team.

“I think Europe have got an unbelievable team. I wish them the best for the match, simple as that.

“I’m not going to stand here and sort of plead a case for why I should be on the team. It’s done and dusted. I tried my hardest and I didn’t make it.

“I wasn’t picked. I didn’t qualify automatically. I wish I had. Coming off last year being injured, you’re not making any points – really last year hurt my ability to qualify automatically for the team.

“My best wishes go to the team and I’ll be supporting them in the match and I want them to win.”