General Discussion - Ryder Cup decision time: Monty or McGinley? Karensour - Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject: Ryder Cup decision time: Monty or McGinley?
According to the bookmakers, Paul McGinley is odds-on to captain Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles – but don't rule out a late surge from winning 2010 skipper Colin Montgomerie.
Odds of 2/7 with William Hill put the Irishman favourite to get the hot ticket compared to Monty's 5/2, with Rory McIlroy and Jose Maria Olazabal backing McGinley.
But only the Spaniard has a vote when the Players Committee and Ryder Cup officials meet in Abu Dhabi tomorrow to name the man who will go up again surprise US choice Tom Watson, golf wholesale experienced players opting for Monty's charisma to top that of Watson and it could even come down to Committee chairman Thomas Bjorn using a casting vote to give the Scot the nod at a course which is close his home in Perth.
Certainly when I spoke to Monty exclusively at St Andrews in October as we toured the Old Course in a buggy, TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood he was more than happy to chat about the prospects of being asked to step up to the plate yet again.
But he made it clear he would only take the job if specifically asked to do it and he wasn't about to apply and have to justify a manifesto of why he should get it.
"My hat has not been in the ring at all but [I'd do] anything to help the cause for the European Tour. TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Driver If they asked me to do it, of course I would. But they've got to ask me. My hat's not in the ring to win or lose."
Among his backers is Henrik Stenson. who revealed this week that he nominated Monty for the job in 2010.
"We all know Monty's passion for the Ryder Cup and the effort he put into the captaincy in 2010 – and I am sure he would do the same and maybe more this time around."
Of McGinley, the Swede added: "If you have been a vice-captain it's important you accept that reward and not be disappointed if you then are not appointed captain."
As for Bjorn, who has had his spats by Montgomerie, TaylorMade R1 Fairway Wood he said this weekend: "If you sit down in a 15-man committee and 12 think Monty should be captain then you’ve got to go with him.