Player burn-out worries Monty
Throughout his long playing career over the - the Scot is far more Wentworth than Ponte Vedra Beach.
But that hasn't stopped Europe's Ryder Cup captain from taking note of what has been happening Stateside over the last three weeks and observing the success of the play-off series that comes to its climax at next week's Tour Championship.
This is very much part of Montgomerie's captaincy brief because he knows the demands of a successful run could have serious implications for .
Players who have successfully been beating the cut-off marks as the PGA Tour has progressively whittled down fields and are now among the elite top 30 who will compete at , are clearly in form but despite this week off they're also likely to be exhausted.
"They'll be finishing the FedEx Cup and jumping straight on a plane to come to the Ryder Cup," acknowledges the European skipper.
"Of course I want them to be playing well but at the same time I want them to be rested. Walking round Celtic Manor five times in three days is an effort under that pressure and six hours out there for each round, it's a lot so I'm in two minds. Hopefully, yes they'll be playing well and yet I'd like them rested as well - I'm in a Catch 22."
As he pondered the situation it was clear he was trying to decide which scenario he would prefer. "I'd like them all in the FedEx Cup, to be honest, and then just rest up," Montgomerie concluded.
"Whether we play 18 holes practice every day Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday is up to them and me. We'll decide what's best for them, but most importantly they're playing well coming into it."
Montgomerie (right) is likely to choose Paul McGinley as one of his Ryder Cup assistants
Arguably the captain more disadvantaged will be as his American team is more likely to have players doing the full stretch in the play-offs.
More immediately on this side of the pond next week's - the match between Great Britain and Ireland and continental Europe - has suffered as several big names are missing.
This is a shame for an event that is also suffering from branding difficulties. It used to be the Seve Trophy and fans had become used to the name and knew what it was all about. Now we have to start again.
So what is it? Well, despite the absence of the likes of , , and the injured and Martin Kaymer, the Vivendi has become a Ryder Cup rehearsal.
Montgomerie will be there aboard a buggy as the most interested spectator.
"Big names are missing but there are some big names playing," he said. "I'd like to focus on the players that are playing, we have the Henrik Stensons, the Rory McIlroys and there could be some great match ups especially in the Sunday singles."
Although not having a playing or captaincy role in the match, Montgomerie is bossing the event.
"I've put in charge of the Great Britain and Ireland team and in charge of the European side and I'll be overseeing everybody.
"I think the 10 players on each team will be very anxious to impress me and I'll be watching them. They know I'll be watching them and under that pressure if they do impress me they get a tick in the box."
It is clear Montgomerie has identified McGinley and Bjorn as his most likely assistants for Celtic Manor. "That's exactly what I've put them in that place for," he said, while acknowledging that both still harbour hopes of playing in Wales next October.
Montgomerie was speaking at the launch of "Golf Live" at the in Berkshire. The interactive golf show aims to attract 36,000 spectators over three days next May.
The Scot and Casey are the first to sign up to the project which is one of very few new corporate golfing initiatives to have been announced in these credit crunched times.
It remains a challenging period at every level in the sport. This week European Tour boss George O'Grady has been in the Middle East and there's continued speculation that the big money Race to Dubai won't be as cash rich as was intially and lavishly unveiled.
So a few furrowed brows at the Tour's Wentworth HQ where an announcement is being planned for next week. The mood is perhaps a touch happier in the Ponte Vedra Beach offices of the PGA Tour in Florida after the compelling three weeks of play-off action.
At the very least it has been a fine distraction from economic woes - though somewhat ironic given that $10m awaits someone who frankly is well off enough not to be in need of such riches.
But that's the way of professional golf, it is all about the money - apart from, of course, the Ryder Cup, which has no prize fund.
The big hope has to be that the dash for cash the week ahead of next year's match doesn't impact adversely on what remains golf's most popular event.
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Comment number 1.
At 17th Sep 2009, fattddaddy wrote:"Dash for the cash" is a fine distraction from OUR economic woes? It is a perfect reflection of the cause of OUR economic woes. Bank of America, Merill Lynch, Wachovia, etc..major financial institutions flooding the PGA with dollars for sponsorship, entertainment tents/pavillions, corporate outings etc.. What is the difference of paying million dollar bonuses to employees of the financial institution or the PGA pro's playing under their banner. This contrived, riduculously feeble farce called the FedEx Cup HAS NOT been received well by the public despite the overselling/push by The Golf Channel or others who have long term contracts or are paid to cover the PGA. How refreshing it will be to have the Ryder Cup and dump the contrived "bribes" for player/ fan interest to compete with American football.
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Comment number 2.
At 17th Sep 2009, daisydaisygive wrote:"Of course I want them to be playing well but at the same time I want them to be rested. Walking round Celtic Manor five times in three days is an effort"
Monty needs to give our players more credit for their fitness. They are all alot younger than him (well those who play in the states), and could walk round Celtic Manor nine times in three days if they needed to.
McGinley good pick for leadership and motivational qualities, less so Bjorn.
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Comment number 3.
At 17th Sep 2009, IRN - Tax doesnt have to be taxing wrote:If anything goes wrong you can bet it'll be Sandy Lyle's fault. ;-)
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Comment number 4.
At 17th Sep 2009, kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Valid concern; Faldo suffered (among other things of course) from leading players (Harrington, Garcia especially) being burned out at Valhalla and, for some reason, English players in particular seem incapable of designing a coherent schedule which takes account of commitments on each Tour, Westwood in past years, Casey, Poulter, Rose in 2008.
This year Casey is in danger of losing his full PGA Tour membership for the same reason.
Let's hope Ross Fisher can organize himself better than his predecssors if he elects to take PGA Tour membership in 2010.
The Ryder Cup was a pre-eminent event in Montgomerie's career and good for him as Europe benefited from his commitment. But he will find others are more me-orientated in their career goals and Monty will have to adjust. Getting all candidates to play the Wales Open will be a giant step forward.
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Comment number 5.
At 17th Sep 2009, saga mix wrote:not sure Colin's going to be such a great Captain ... it's possible to take something too seriously, isn't it?
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Comment number 6.
At 18th Sep 2009, Lairdy wrote:It's already mentioned in the blog, but it will be the same burnout worries for the US as well. I think Monty will go about tackling this the right way however, with plenty of consideration for rest in the build up the fatigue can hopefully be removed from their heads. Besides the home crowd will give them a lift and they cant use that excuse again, can they?
Another good point raised is the ability of our guys to put a workable schedule together. What with the players more concerned about themselves and how much money they make you'd think they'd look after no.1 a bit better?!
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Comment number 7.
At 19th Sep 2009, smilingRPGC wrote:Interesting views - search for more on
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Comment number 8.
At 20th Sep 2009, the_kirkcaldy_kid wrote:I reckon Monty is arrogant enough to end up picking himself for this team. He may be a Ryder Cup legend, but he doesn't have the people skills to do well in my opinion.
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Comment number 9.
At 21st Sep 2009, Malt Loaf wrote:Montgomerie will be a disaster. The non-major winning me, me, me character will wind up 'his' players somehow and will end up thinking he is bigger than the Ryder Cup itself.
Not only that, we are some way off the contest anyway. We will all be sick of hearing about the Ryder Cup by the time it comes round!
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Comment number 10.
At 24th Sep 2009, sportmadgav wrote:I don't believe that the Fed Ex Cup is as big a hit as mentioned. The format is flawed and many were upset when Heath Slocum rocketed from obscurity to 3rd for his win 3 weeks ago.
In essence the PGA Tour are trying to bring the concept of playoffs to golf. 1 problem, playoffs are matchplay and these tournaments are strokeplay, doesn't quite fit and they still need to work at it.
I don't think it is possible to take the Ryder Cup too seriously as Sagamix commented. Just as long as he doesn't loose the plot it can be described as dedication to the job.
Bjorn as VC, very questionable, no real pedigree in the event.
Burn out is an issue but more so for the US players so that should be an advantage.
What worries me is that everything is so public, I'm sure Langer went through the same processes but behind closed doors (or lips). Pavin is no shrinking violet either....it could get out of hand again like '91 or '99.
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