Familiarity breeds success, says Montgomerie

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland: Colin Montgomerie has disputed six-times major champion Nick Faldo's view that Europeans are too friendly with each other to perform at the highest level.

Europe's 2008 Ryder Cup captain Faldo said on Tuesday that to win majors, Europeans needed to be hungrier and more competitive with each other, comments that did not go down well with players such as Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose.

On Wednesday, Montgomerie reckoned that familiarity among Europeans was more likely to breed success than failure, especially in the Ryder Cup matches against the U.S.

"We're very close on the European Tour, a big family if you like," Montgomerie told a press conference.

"For the other five Frenchmen playing in last week's Scottish Open to come out and congratulate Gregory Havret on winning, was marvellous.

"I don't think that sort of thing would happen on the U.S. Tour. I'm very proud that within Europe we support each other, that's why we've done so well in the Ryder Cup."

Montgomerie, though, does not think the captain's beliefs will cause disharmony within the team for next year's Ryder Cup match at Valhalla, Kentucky.

"We're very privileged to have Nick and I think he'll be a fabulous captain," Montgomerie added. "I don't think there will be a problem with his comments and the players."

Agencies

(China Daily 07/20/2007 page23)