US captaincy holds no fears for Monty

Colin Montgomerie insists he wouldn’t be afraid to lead Europe into Ryder Cup battle on American soil in 2012.

But the Scot, 45, is still the hot favourite to be named as skipper for Celtic Manor 2010, leaving Jose Maria Olazabal to face the USA in Chicago two years later.

Asked if he’d be worried about taking on the Yanks in their own back yard after suffering years of heckling from beer-fuelled fans, Monty said: "No, not at all.  I would be honoured to be asked to take the role anywhere.

“There is no particular choice.  This is what we are going to do tomorrow. It will be a choose the best man for the job situation.

"So the best man will be chosen whether it's here or in the States, though the golf fans in America have warmed to me very much over the past few years. I've enjoyed competing in America since 2002.”

As a member of the Players Committee, Montgomerie plans to sit in on today’s Ryder Cup meeting which must choose between Jose Maria Olazabal, 42, and the Scot.

But it remains to be seen which way committee members like Darren Clarke will vote.

Refusing to be drawn, Clarke said simply: “We need a very strong leader and I think we are going to have one.

“I am on the Committee that helps decide. So whoever the choice is going to be, he's going to be a great captain.”

Clarke was speaking at a sneak preview of the Greg Norman designed Earth Course that will host November's Dubai World Championship.

After playing the last four holes, dubbed the Green Mile for their total length, Clarke said: “It goes without saying that all of us want to be back here in November.

“I haven't seen the rest of the course but these four finishing holes are good and the last is going to make for an exciting finish.”