Colin Montgomerie was named captain for the 2010 European Ryder Cup team. The announcement was made Wednesday and Montgomerie learned of his appointment while in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The biennial event will be held in September 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Montgomerie, who will be 47 when the competition starts, will be Europe's youngest-ever captain. His counterpart on the American team, Corey Pavin, has already been named. Pavin will be two weeks shy of his 51st birthday when the next Ryder Dup is played.
The Scot is one of the most successful European Ryder Cup players ever. "Monty" accumulated 23½ points while a member of the team, the second most after Nick Faldo; he has a record of 20 wins, seven halves and nine losses.
The American team pulled an upset last September at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., beating the favored Europeans 16½ to 11½. Montgomerie is hoping the Welsh "home crowd" will back its players as those in Kentucky did for the Americans.
Montgomerie was obviously pleased and excited after learning he will be leading the 2010 European team. "It's not just an honor but a huge responsibility as well," Montgomerie said. "It is important we do everything we can to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010.
"This is one of the proudest moments I can think of. I am very proud and honored to be selected by the committee to be the 2010 Ryder Cup captain. I dreamt this opportunity might come my way, but far-off dreams I must admit. We speak here 17, 18 years later and here it is."
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