Colin Montgomerie joins Ryder Cup shortlist

Colin Montgomerie has joined the shortlist of contenders for the Ryder Cup captaincy role at Celtic Manor in 2010.

Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, Scot Sandy Lyle and Welshman Ian Woosnam are definite candidates, but Montgomerie hasn’t ruled himself out despite being openly keen on the 2014 contest in his native Scotland.

Following a four-hour discussion in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the European Tour committee decided to reconvene on 28 January with a view to naming the captain the following day, and it is now believed that Olazabal has been given two weeks to come to a decision.

However, Olazabal, who recently took charge of the Europeans in the Royal Trophy against Asia, is hoping to qualify as a player for the 2010 showdown at Celtic Manor, Wales, which leaves the door ajar for the other hopefuls.

And Montgomerie, 45, said recently: "We found last time with Faldo's situation that you do lose as a captain over 50 a sense of what's happening with the youngsters, a feeling of what's going on.”

Europe’s new captain, who will face Corey Pavin and his US side next year, will be named on 29 January.

Where next?

Golf Monthly Forum: Who should captain Europe in 2010? New equipment: New TaylorMade R9 driver pictures