Langer possible wild card for European Ryder Cup team
European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is toying with the idea of Bernard Langer joining the 2010 European Ryder Cup team as one of three wild card entries. Even though the German is now playing on the Champions Tour, Langer has had an impressive showing at his last few tournaments, and could his experience would be a valuable asset.
Langer, 53, has played on 10 Ryder Cup teams since 1981. His last time playing was in 2002 at the Belfry though he was a non-playing captain in 2004 when the European team was victorious.
"I would not rule out picking Bernhard," Montgomerie said. "I'm not ruling out anybody, especially someone who has performed to that degree and is in the form of his life."
Langer’s wins at the Senior British Open and the U.S. Senior Open put him on Montgomerie’s radar, and Montgomerie believes that his Cup experience could prove to be invaluable on a team which could potentially include four rookies.
Montgomerie was impressed that Langer won at Carnoustie, and was further amazed that he travelled across the world through eight time zones to win at Sahalee in Seattle, where he had to compete with local favourite Fred Couples and the thousands of fans who showed up to cheer him on.
"I think it wouldn't be such a dramatic pick to have someone of that age and that experience in the team. I think he's playing as well as he ever has. I know through playing with Bernhard Langer that he's as good a partner as anyone could ever have." Montgomerie said.
At the 3M Championship in Minneapolis this weekend, Langer said of Montgomerie selecting him, "If he wants me on the team I would definitely consider it, yes."
Montgomerie and Langer were in a similar situation in 2004, although in reverse positions when Langer selected Montgomerie for the team because of his experience.
“He was borderline," Langer had said, "but I felt he brought a lot of experience and the right spirit into the team room, and he played well."
There is one more month left until Montgomerie has to finalize the team that will compete against the United States in Wales on 1 October. So far the players in the top eight are some of the strongest Europe has ever seen. Having Langer on the team would close the experience gap on the team.
Montgomerie could be casting a team without his strongest player. Lee Westwood pulled out of the Bridgestone Invitational after two rounds due to a calf injury. Westwood, number one on the Europe Ryder Cup points list, said that he has been advised to take at least six weeks off to rest and undergo treatment before he should return to the sport.
Of the players outside the automatic eight Montgomerie will be paying close attention to their performances in the upcoming PGA Tour and European Tour events. He had good words to say about Padraig Harrington, who sits at ninth on the list, comending him for coming in runner up at last week’s Irish Open. Ross Fischer, in fifth place on the list, won the Irish Open.
Paul Casey sits in 11th place and still has the PGA Championship to play. Justin Rose is 68th on the list, but his name has been mentioned as a possible wild card even though he is forgoing the Johnnie Walker Championship, the final qualifying event for the European team, to play the in the PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs.
Montgomerie isn’t upset with Rose for choosing the FedEx Cup over the Johnnie Walker Championship, "As I understand it Justin is currently third on the US money list with a chance to win that," he said. "It would be a fantastic boost to him, arriving over for the Ryder Cup as the winner of the American FedEx series. So all credit to him and the best of luck to him. I hope he achieves his goal."
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