Monty harbours Ryder Cup hopes
2008-08-15 18:53
London - Colin Montgomerie insists he still wants to play in the Ryder Cup despite his decision not to enter two tournaments which would have boosted his bid to make the European team.
Montgomerie, 45, opted not to play in Sweden this week or Holland next week and has no chance of automatic qualification as a result.
His only way to a ninth cap is as a wild-card pick from captain Nick Faldo, who names his two selections after the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles at the end of August.
The Scot, an eight-time European number one, only took the time off to see his family after a long spell away from home and he is adamant he still has a strong desire to take part in next month's clash against the United States at the Valhalla Club in Kentucky.
"I decided to take these two weeks off from tournament golf as, with automatic qualification now out of the question, I thought it very important to put in some serious practice time so I am ready to perform to the best of my ability should I come into the reckoning for a captain's selection," Montgomerie wrote on his website.
"My desire to play in the Ryder Cup is greater than ever - as I have shown in the past and in my schedule which has been geared towards qualifying - but I want now to work on my game to compete as well as I can in Scotland and to have my game to a standard that would allow me, hopefully, to perform at a level to help the team (if I am part of it) to the requisite 14 and a half points.
"After these few days with my wife and family I am ready to get down to some serious hard work at Gleneagles, which is no more than 10 minutes from home, so some long hours can easily be put in.
"Hopefully, the crowds will inspire me to a great week. It will be a really strong tournament with so many European players in the field battling to improve their positions on the European Ryder Cup rankings in the final qualifying event.
"I think the spectators are in for a great week - weather permitting!"