Monty has stern Gleneagles advice for Ryder Cup hopefuls

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has launched a stern piece of advice to all potential team members for the last week of qualifying at the Johnnie Walker Classic on August 26.

The 46-year-old Ryder Cup legend was openly critical of Ian Poulter's decision to miss out on the Gleneagles event in 2008, however the Englishman was still picked by captain Nick Faldo.

"I want to see them showing support for European golf and the European Tour and I will be very, very surprised if they are not there," Montgomerie said.

"That would make a whole lot of sense to a whole lot of people. I am convinced that I will have around eight candidates for three spots.

"You can count on those eight playing at Gleneagles. They will be there."

Montgomerie hinted that the situation may be slightly different from 2008, saying: "Knowing that the two wild card selections last time were not at Gleneagles, you would anticipate that all the so-called possibilities will be playing at Gleneagles, yes."

He may face problems given that on the same week the PGA Tour hosts the first of four FedEx Cup playoff tournaments, of which players like Poulter, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson, Brian Davis and Sergio Garcia may well have qualified for.

Indeed Donald revealed some queries relating to Montgomerie's words, saying: "That will be a tough call, whether I can afford to miss a playoff event. I'll have to take it as it comes."

The Ryder Cup will be held at the Celtic Manor Resort from October 1-3.

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