Monty Fears Useless Tag

European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie

Colin Montgomerie fears he might be branded “Captain Useless” if Europe fail to win the Ryder Cup back from the United States.

Montgomerie, who captains Europe against Corey Pavin’s US team in next month’s competition at Celtic Manor in Wales, said: “I do wonder if the role of the captain is overplayed, since we never get to hit a shot. You see it in football all the time. It is never the star player who is playing badly who gets it in the neck if his team loses, it is always the manager who gets the blame. I do think, though, the captain has an important role to play. I’ll probably be called ‘Captain Useless’ if we lose. That seems to go with the territory these days.”

The Scot feels that the key part of his job will be his motivational speech on the eve of the tournament and whether he can outdo his opposite number in that department. “There’s definitely a game that goes on between the two captains and it seems to make a difference psychologically as to what happens when the action begins,” he said in the Ryder Cup Official Guide. “Look at the recent history of the event and it is the team whose captain gave the best speech who start well the next day and set the tone for the match.

“I just know how important it is from how it made me feel when I was sitting there. In 2004 Bernhard Langer gave a brilliant ambassadorial speech and we only lost one-and-a-half points on the opening day. Paul Azinger might have given the best American speech in recent times two years ago and his team came flying out of the blocks.

“My job is to make sure my team leave that opening ceremony and they’re thinking: ‘Captain Monty, I think we’re going to be all right in his hands.’”

Montgomerie also believes his captaincy style will be most influenced by Sam Torrance’s approach in 2002. He added: “Sam really impressed me. He was petrified at giving his speech but he took advice and delivered it superbly. That gave us confidence, then came his master-stroke.”

With the teams tied 8-8 going into the Sunday singles matches Torrance reversed convention to send his best players out first rather than in reverse order. Montgomerie was told to lay down a marker and returned his best ever performance against Scot Hoch. “All credit to Sam. That match was certainly the best I have ever played in the Ryder Cup,” he said.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.