Monty Exclusive: It’s ‘laughable’ to call McIlroy a rookie – he’s key
- Rory McIlroy is no 'rookie'
- I felt awful having to tell players they didn't make it
- The Ryder Cup is my major, I have never felt prouder
Despite Rory McIlroy's criticism of Tiger Woods, European captain Colin Montgomerie is backing him and warning the yanks not to write him off as a 'rookie'. In an exclusive Q&A for Sport magazine, Monty says: it's 'laughable' to think of McIroy, a 'winner on both the European and US tours' as an inexperienced youngster.
You can read the full interview in tomorrow's free Sport magazine, but below you'll find an exclusive excerpt form the feature...
On telling player's they hadn't made it...
“I really think it was the hardest decision any captain has had to make. We genuinely do have an embarrassment of riches and I keep saying ‘if only we could have 20 players in the team’. Knowing how it feels not to get selected, I felt awful having to let the guys know they hadn’t made it. But I couldn’t be happier with my 12 men”.
On why the Ryder Cup is his favourite event...
I have really enjoyed it. The Ryder Cup is my major if you like, and when I was invited to be captain back at the start of 2009, I have never felt prouder. I have enjoyed the build-up though have to say I never realised quite how much there is to do behind the scenes. It has been pretty full-on since early last year, from site visits at Celtic Manor to uniforms for players, caddies, wives and support staff to the schedule of the week to preparing the speeches. Fun though it has been, I can’t wait for the match to start.
On Rory McIlroy and the rookies...
All 12 European players are strong characters so I‘m not sure if there will be one single standout on that front. I could see the rookies stepping up to the plate too. They aren’t rookies like I was when I made my debut in 1991, feeling every inch the most inferior member of the team. It is almost laughable to think Martin Kaymer, a major winner, and Rory McIlroy, a winner on both the US and European Tours, World Cup winners the Molinari brothers, Ross Fisher winner of the Volvo World Match Play Championship and Peter Hanson, a two-time winner this year, are considered rookies!
Read the FULL, EXCLUSIVE interview with Monty in this week's Sport Magazine, out every FRIDAY. Find out what Monty thinks of Tiger's return to the game and much more...