Golf: Monty to captain Royal Trophy's Europe team
Posted: 12 November 2009 1709 hrs

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BANGKOK : Scotland's Colin Montgomerie will captain the European team that takes on Asia in Thailand's Royal Trophy in January, according to organisers.

Europe's Ryder Cup captain accepted the position after speaking with Seve Ballesteros, who had previously planned to lead the European effort himself but is still recovering from brain surgery, they said.

Spanish legend Ballesteros pioneered the Royal Trophy tournament, which is modelled on the Ryder Cup but pits Asian and European teams against each other. It takes place in Chonburi, Thailand from January 8-10

"Seve has invited me to captain Europe at the Royal Trophy and I am delighted to accept," said eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Montgomerie.

"It will be an excellent opportunity for me to spend time with some key players who are likely to be with me at Celtic Manor in October for the Ryder Cup," he added.

Last year Jose Maria Olazabal replaced Ballesteros as the European captain but lost to Asia 10-6.

Ballesteros said that while he was recovering well from surgery for a brain tumour, he had decided to nominate Montgomerie for the position after all.

"It is best for the players to have complete certainty as to who will lead them in this great match against Asia, and while my recovery has been very good, I am not certain that I will be ready to give our team the 110 percent effort it deserves," Ballesteros was quoted as saying in a statement from the organisers.

"The role of captain is complex, difficult and demanding and I sincerely thank Colin, my very good friend, for taking this major responsibility."

Ballesteros said he would attend the matches subject to his health.

Montgomerie has inherited a collection of players previously selected by Ballesteros including world number seven Henrik Stenson, 2008 European number one Robert Karlsson and current European number three Martin Kaymer.

Montgomerie will take on a dual role as player and captain, to bring the challenge to the Asian team, the statement said.

"I am excited about being European Captain as well as representing our continent as a player," he said. "I am really pleased to be representing Europe in Thailand and am determined to regain the Royal Trophy for Europe."

Ballesteros led the European team to victory in the first two Royal Trophy competitions in 2006 and 2007. The 2008 event was cancelled out of respect for the Thai king's sister, who died in January of that year.

- AFP /ls