Monty relieved Ryder choice is made

Colin Montgomerie has what he hopes is the hardest part of his Ryder Cup captaincy out of the way - deciding to leave out Paul Casey and Justin Rose.

The former world number three and the player who won twice in America earlier this summer learnt last night they were not going to be at Celtic Manor.

Wild cards have instead been handed to Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and, on the back of his stunning victory in the last counting event, Edoardo Molinari.

Three birdies in the last three holes to win the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles by one convinced Montgomerie he had to go with Molinari - not least because his brother Francesco is also on the side.

They are the first brothers in the same team since Bernard and Geoff Hunt in 1963 and it comes a season after Edoardo was on the second tier Challenge Tour.

'I've been a player on the European Tour for 24 years and I don't think I've seen a finish of that quality under such pressure by anyone ever,' said Montgomerie.

'I think what he did was incredible and that's the type of player we need.'

The two Molinaris won the World Cup last November and, since they were paired together not only when Edoardo won yesterday, but also when he triumphed at the Scottish Open last month, it is almost a given that they will be partners in Wales.

'I would have been happy a year ago to have enough money to keep my card by this time,' said 29-year-old Edoardo, the older by two years.

'Colin told me he was proud of what I had done. It was quite an emotional moment for me because this means I will be playing with my brother and that is something that is almost unreal.

'Hopefully we can make as many points as we can for the team. I think I had to win to get into the team because I was up against so many strong players.

'I could tell from the way he said it that if I had finished second then it wouldn't have been good enough.

'For two brothers to be playing in the Ryder Cup - at that level of sport - is an amazing achievement.'

With both the Italians in Montgomerie was left with no choice but to omit two of the so-called 'FedEx Four' who stayed in America rather than returning to Europe.

He spoke to Rose just before the final round of the first play-off event in New Jersey, but Casey was already on the course and Montgomerie had to wait to telephone him.

'Justin understood the position and he was very professional in his acceptance of that. He did say to me that having won twice in America and having the year of his life, it just proves the strength of the European Tour.

'It's a very brave decision, it's a very strong decision - and it's one I hope will regain the Ryder Cup.

'There is nothing personal here. This is for the sake of the team. I've gone for the three that I think give us the best chance to win, but I feel sorry for Paul and Justin. I've left the world number nine out here for the first time and Justin is a world star too.'

After he spoke Casey even moved up to eighth in the rankings with his 12th-place finish in America.

'We have an embarrassment of riches. It was the most stressful afternoon of my career- and I've not hit a golf shot. I wish the team could contain 20 names.

'Padraig is someone that we feel nobody in matchplay golf wants to play - a great competitor.

'I'm not concerned about his form at all (Harrington's last Tour win was over two years ago). I think when Padraig's back is to the wall he comes out and produces fantastic performances - and I am expecting that at Celtic Manor.

'And in Luke we have someone that can compete in foursomes and in fourball golf. He's played seven times and only lost one.'

Casey was the highest-ranked of all five main candidates, though, and out-played them in finishing third in last month's Open and 12th at the recent US PGA.

He also won the World Match Play at Wentworth in 2006 and was a finalist in the last two WGC-Accenture Championships in Arizona.

Rose won three points out of four on his debut two years ago, partnering Poulter to two wins and beating Phil Mickelson no less in the singles.

He has played less than anybody in Europe this season, though, and missed the halfway cut in the last two majors like Harrington.
Half the side are rookies - McIlroy, Kaymer, Fisher, Hanson and the Molinaris.

Out from the last team are Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Oliver Wilson, Soren Hansen, Casey and Rose.
Only eight of the American side are known at the moment.

Captain Corey Pavin adds four wild cards on Tuesday week and Tiger Woods is among those waiting for a call.