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Would be very intrigued to see Monty's list. His comments just after the selection of the previous cup last year were very interesting. This coupled with the fact he now has 3 Wild Card picks, could leave a few boys dissappointed when the 12 are announced. I wouldn't be surprised to see some RC veterans as his wild card picks, i.e the likes of Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley or Jiminez. Their form of course, will have to improve in the next year.

For the record my 12 (in no particular order) would be; Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey, Ross Fisher, Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer.

Can't wait till next year, fingers crossed the Ryder Cup will be coming back were it belongs.

#1 Sandy Lyle
#2 Padraig Harrington
#3 Ross Fisher
#4 Henrik Stenson
#5 Rory McIlroy
#6 Ian Poulter
#7 Sergio Garcia
#8 Lee Westwood
#9 Paul Casey
#10 Martin Kaymer
#11 Graeme McDowell
#12 Nick Dougherty

I'm afraid that this may be another example of why Monty shouldn't be captain. If you are a European golfer, would you like to hear that monty already has written down his preferred team.

Whoever the next Ross Fisher or Rory McIlroy is, he wants to know that Monty has an open mind, likewise Garcia & Co should be left in no doubt that they have to fight for their places.

Poor man management.

The 8 certainties you've picked look about right to me but I'd also include Poults and G-Mac to make almost a certain 10.

Of course nothing can be taken for granted but unless there is drastic loss of form or injury then i'd expect those 10 to play. After that, I'd like to see Rose find his form again to make the team and Karlsson to pair with Stenson.

That would be my 12 at this point in time but there is always someone who comes out of the woodwork

1. McIlroy
2. Harrington
3. Westwood
4. Garcia
5. Stenson
6. Casey
7. Poulter
8. Fisher
9. Wilson
10. Jimenez
11. Kaymer
12. Quiros

Darren Clarke maybe there as a vice captain, doubt he'll play.

Surprised everyone seems to be ruling out Luke Donald already - 12 months is a long time to get his game back, and chances are he will. Surely he'll make the team....

It seems odd to me that the main article is speculating that Soren Hansen is in Monty's thoughts at this stage -- Soren Kjeldsen's more likely surely?

Absolutely daft of Montgomerie to announce that he has a short list of 12 at this stage; implies that he could have a closed mind about golfers not on his list.

Interesting that Iain Carter's list of certs includes the three whose poor play effectively lost the Cup in 2008, Garcia, Harrington and Westwood, plus Paul Casey who, along with another Carter choice Poulter, couldn't be bothered to play the tournaments nnecessary to qualify automatically, not just those at the end but thru'out the year.

One player not mentioned in this thread so far is Luke Donald, suspect at the highest level but a rock in each Ryder Cup that he's played so far. And personally I hope that Robert Karlsson returns to rude good health and his 2008 form.

As for the US, Corey Pavin will have a strong group of young players (Glover, Mahan, O'Hair, Watney etc) leavened with experience of Woods, Phil, Stricker, Leonard, Cink, Zach among others and looks likely to have the best US Team in a generation.

Two things:
1).Montgomerie talks too much.
2).The Press listen to him.
A sure recipe for future conlict and disappointmet.

Just giving my input on what others have said, I can't help but interfere...

No. 3 gjowen. I think you're right, Monty could be slightly guilty of mismanagement, but I certainly know, that if I were to pick the team, I would be picking out the likely candidates at this stage as well. The mistake Monty has made is telling everyone that he has

No. 5 jockneyboy I'd forgotten the vice captain is still to be picked, so in this respect I might take Clarke out of my 12 and put him in here. I fully expect him to play some part next year though

What a pointless exercise this bit of PR is by Monty. Assuming he reveals his 12 names eventually, there is no way we will know if the 12 are his original dozen or it has been doctored to fit the final 12 and show the world how clever he is. It would be much more interesting if he told us his 12 NOW.

I bet Faldo and Lyle are not on Monty's list.

I think this Ryder Cup will be a lot less one sided and my 12 currently (liable to change) given form over the last year would be:
Lee Westwood
Paul Casey
Ross Fisher
Rory McIlroy
Henrik Stenson
Luke Donald
Soren Kjeldsen
Alvaro Quiros
Ian Poulter
Sergio Garcia
Padraig Harrington
Robert Karlsson/Soren Hansen

Not sure about the qualifying order (in terms of order of merit and world points) but my guess at the probable twelve would be:-

1. Lee Westwood
2. Paul Casey
3. Ross Fisher
4. Padraig Harrington
5. Sergio Garcia
6. Oliver Wilson
7. Martin Kaymer
8. Rory McIlroy
9. Henrik Stenson
10. Soren Hansen
11. Ian Poulter
12. Alvaro Quiros (or maybe Luke Donald)

I also think the following players could go well in the run up to the ryder cup, and may be able to force their way into the team at the expense of others, what do you think:-

Nick Dougherty?
Chris Wood?
Francesco Molinari?
Luke Donald? (or Alvaro?)

and the one real dark horse who i think MIGHT (given a tournament win) make the team...........

Damien McGrane?

Redashgolf-
I really like the balance of that team. Not only 12 golfers who can take on America but all are capable of challenging for major titles. Molinari is always there or there abouts in European tour events and i like the way Chris Wood plays. Luke Donald is more suited to home events being a shorter hitter.
You have missed out Graeme Mcdowell though, he will undoubtedly force his way in, very consistent tour player.

I think that Monty has to start somewhere with his planning for the tournament but I think that his comments will only up the tension amongst all of the players. As so many of you have rightly commented, there are at least 20 players with a very good chance to get into the team none of which would be out of place on the team. It promises to be the most competitive qualifying ever as I don't believe that anyone is guaranteed their place.

As we know, every captain has their own internal and external strategy....looks like Monty has got the first blow in and will wait for a response from Pavin. I worry a little about this Ryder Cup as both Monty and Pavin are fierce competitors and not afraid to antagonise the opposition. I hope it's not a regression to the "war on the shore" days. It's golf, a gentleman's game where honesty and integrity rule above all else.

1. Harrington
2. Westwood
3. Garcia
4. McIlroy
5. Casey
6. Fisher
7. Stenson
8. Karlsson
9. McDowell
10.Hansen
11.Poulter
12.Wilson

Apologies would go to Jimenez, Kjeldsen, Rose and Dougherty

So Monty has a list of his preferred 12 starters - good on him. If he didn't have an idea now, I'd be a bit worried about his lack of advanced planning. He's never said that this isn't open to amendment, but as usual the 'back-stabbing brigade' are out in full force, citing 'the list' as the very reason for him not to be Captain.
Do you seriously think Corey Pavin doesn't have a 'preferred list'? I don't see anyone from the other side of the pond slating him 12 months in advance.
hs-999 (#17) has it just about right - with Quiros & Rose as deserved stand-bys.

Re 18. You are missing the point. Of course he should have an idea as to who he wants to play, his failure is in talking to the media about it.

We have seen from British Lions tours the demorilising impact of the coach announcing to the press that he knows his test team at the start of the tour, and whilst IM probably did have a pretty good idea of his preferred team at the start of the tour this year, he is too good a man manager to say so.

In Ryder Cup it is particuarly important since the captain doesn't get to choose the majority of the team in any case. He should be making every effort to keep on good terms with as many.

Lets hope Sandy Lyle can get a couple of early tournament vistories in 2010.

Interesting that in the article and comments that nobody mentions Justin Rose - a good outside bet me thinks

What's wrong with hearing that Monty has already pencilled in his team? I'm sure any captain would immediately think about his 12 favourite players, the ones he believes will get the job done. After all, Monty has no doubt played at least a round with every one of them already which is more than Faldo would have done having been retired for so long.
It is up to players who may not be on the list already to play themselves into contention. It is not simply a case of placing the highest money winner ahead of, say a great matchplayer, who Monty will have first hand experience of.
Monty, I am ready, I may not shoot in the 60's on a medal round but my mathplay game is in good shape (with full shots difference anyway!)

You need to think pairings rather than individuals:

Fisher & Donald Reserve: Wilson / Rose
Poulter & Casey Reserve: Wilson / Rose
McIlroy & McDowell Reserve: Wilson / Rose
All interchangeable I think....

Harrington & Westwood Reserve: Clarke
Garcia & Jimenez Reserve: Quiros
Stenson & Karlsson Reserve: Hansen

It doesn't matter what Monty does or says, it is obvious, to me at any rate that there are a significant few who will slate him at every opportunity. If he wins the trophy it will be because "It was a poor US team" or "Well, the players did the winning". For some he can do no right and I had to laugh at the person who said it showed Monty had a closed mind whilst revealing themselves to have the very same mindset against Monty. It is peculiarly British to slag off your own, no other country in the world does it to the standards we do it.
Time will reveal how he does, he might screw it all up, he might be a roaring success, why not wait and see, give him a chance rather than condmning him before he even starts just because you don't like him.

"It'll be interesting to see how close the team come to that particular twelve" and "...that's the team as it stands right now. It's amazing how a year is a long time in any sport."

I'm not sure that he could have made it any clearer that he still has an open mind as to the final selection.

Re 23.

I suspect that the irony of your own comments are lost on you.

This debate is meaningless. Whether they are on the list or not (which in itself in irrelevant as it will never be revealed), they still have to qualify by playing well. At the end of the day, Monty only gets to choose 3 players. All the list will do is help him choose his wildcards.

No-one will know if they are on it or not, therfore no-one will feel alienated, no-one will feel less or more motivated or determined.

If he revealed the names, then yes all those things come in to play, b ut as it stands I really don't see what the issue is.

Iain correct me if I'm wrong but I listened to the interview with Monty yeaterday and I thought he clarified what he had done by saying ha had written down who would qualify by right at this point in time based on the current order of merit and world points list. Thus leaving only speculation on his 3 wildcard picks.

No doubt they will be; Himself, Lyle and Faldo (with Woosy in reserve!)

I completely disagree with those who say that it is counter productive for Monty to say that he already has an idea of who he wants to qualify. This is not everyone-gets-a-go school sport, it is completely correct to lay down the gauntlet and say to the will-they-wont-they-make-it players, go ahead and change my mind, or better yet, take it out of my hands and qualify by right.

Bear in mind he only has control over three spaces, and no-one should be aiming to get one of those spaces, all should be aiming to qualify by right. The wild card places almost by definition are for those who previously have shown great skill in the Ryder cup or in similar competitions, but who have not performed well recently - so the captain will of course have an idea of who he would choose were certain players not to qualify by right.

I think to forget Justin Rose is a mistake, he's so talented and will come good this year!

Monty's dream team
1. Colin Montgomerie
2. Colin Montgomerie
3. Colin Montgomerie
4. Colin Montgomerie
5. Colin Montgomerie
6. Colin Montgomerie
7. Colin Montgomerie
8. Colin Montgomerie
9. Colin Montgomerie
10. Colin Montgomerie
11. Colin Montgomerie
12. Colin Montgomerie

Has Monty started to play Ryder Cup mind games with respect to his comments on Tiger's aura? I hope not. One person who has really lost his aura is Monty and he needs to rebuild that. One way would not be to talk at all about the opponents especially questioning the aura of a player who is still runaway #1 and if he doesn't win usually comes close. I wish a few more of our EU players could do that. Plus to start focusing on his job and keeping the competition for places hot and not talking about his 12 man list already and storing up bad feeling for when the selection is made and non-selectees start questioning 'the list'. Lets face it for the last Ryder Cup it was the certaintees like Padraig and Sergio who didn't deliver.

Since qualifying hasn't started then it is alomost impossible to speculate on the team as it will be dependant on form in the next year.
Players I would not rule out on fairly recent tour performances that haven't been mentioned.
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castagno
Robert Jan Derksen
Graeme Storm
Alistair Forsyth
Marc Warren
Outside bet if he can find his initial form from 2008 and kick on - Pelle Edberg. A good finish at the Johnnie Walker will have done his confidence a lot of good.
Love the battling qualities of Paul McGinlay and Paul lawrie but can't see either making the side. Happy to be proved wrong though.

HallingsaLegend - Marc Warren? Really? Have you seen his form over the past couple of years, shocking to say the least! Liking the Castano and Storm shouts though.

This is how I see it:

First names on the team sheet:

Lee Westwood
Paul Casey
Henrik Stenson
Sergio Garcia
Padraig Harrington

Pushing for a start:
Ross Fisher
Rory McIlroy
Luke Donald
Soren Kjeldsen
Ian Poulter
Martin Kaymer
M-A Jimenez

In contention for a call up:
Alvaro Quiros
Robert Karlsson
Soren Hansen
Oliver Wilson
Graeme McDowell
Justin Rose

Outside bets:
Gonzalo Fernandez Castano
Graeme Storm
Chris Wood
Franceson Molinari
Nick Dougherty

In my opinion this is a stupid announcement by Monty. He has chosen his team and if they perform as expected over the next year, there will be limited opportunities for anyone else. How does that make someone with aspirations of playing in the Ryder Cup (but not in immediate contention) feel?

Surely a better ploy would be to openly declare that all 12 spots are up for grabs and that he will pick his team based on form. This will get everyone competing on a level paying field and will give an incentive to emerging pros on tour that they could realise their dreams.

Instead he is telling Sergio that he's a shoe in unless he has a rubbish year.

Monty = muppet

I am afraid Mr Montgomerie enjoys the sound of his voice too much and is revelling in his own self importance. Let the team pick itself over the coming months and build the hype up closer to the event and not a year in advance. A great deal can happen in a year.
Think about it Monty, or maybe that a bit much too ask!!!

What about this team:

1. Luke Donald
2. Ian poulter
3. Ross fisher
4. Paul casey
5. Rory Mcilory
6. Paddy Harrington
7. Hendrik Stenson
8. Sergio Garcia
9. Lee Westwood
10. Alvardo Quiros
11. Martin Kaymer
12. Justin Rose

Davym66, that's a decent team alright but I reckon Donald won't make it and Rose and Poulter will struggle to get there this time. can't really argue with the others though.

No doubt there will be a surprise or two who qualify automatically but I reckon Ross Fisher is a certainty and a superstar in the making. Quiros has overshadowed Castagno in recent performances but Gonzo played well earlier in the season and I won't be surprised if both make it.

Oliver Wilson continues to impress and Graeme Storm has been a revelation and his confidence continues to grow as well as his stature on the European Tour.

It's all good news for the European team though, we have such strength in depth now that the 12 that ultimately represent us will all be real top quality. Unlike some previous teams where we have had 1-2 weak links in the team, you just can't see that being the case this time round.

How about Simon Dyson? Could well be one of those surprise rookies and making a good start to qualifying at Crans-sur-sierre?

simon dyson is good but u have to admite their is no doubt in rory McIlroy making the team.

simon dyson is good but you have to admit their is no doubt in rory McIlroy making the team