Colin Montgomerie has paid tribute to his Ryder Cup partner Padraig Harrington, ahead of today's second round of fourballs and foursomes, insisting the Irishman is one of the best golfers he has ever played with.
Monty is chasing a personal landmark and two points in today's action, to go with the two that he and Harrington earned yesterday would see Montgomerie go level with Seve Ballesteros as third best European Ryder Cup player of all-time.
The Scottish ace believes that with Harrington as his partner, he has every chance of doing so. "Padraig is fabulous, really fabulous. A few people might not have put us together in the past but I thought we dovetailed beautifully. We enjoy each other's company and we're not bad, are we?" he said.
" I choose my partners very well. I played three games with Bernhard last time and one with Padraig and now two with Padraig this year. I am very fortunate to be given good partners.
" I do enjoy the format and being part of a team, possibly more than I do having to play by myself. There are very few days in the Ryder Cup I have enjoyed as much and if you enjoy what you are doing you are usually quite good at it."
In his last 18 matches Montgomerie has won 13, lost two and drawn three, and incredibly, he has not trailed in a match since Brookline five years ago.
However, he also sounded a note of caution, insisting that despite their great start, the European team still has much work to do. "We have a long way to go We've been here before. There are three very important rounds of golf to be played yet. It's a good start but that's all it is. If we can have a day like the first one then I am sure the American team can do the same," he insisted.
Filed by Rob Wright
