Monty may not need Welshmen at Ryder Cup says Price

Wales' 2002 Ryder Cup hero, Phillip Price, who has been tipped as a backroom assistant for Colin Montgomerie's European team at Celtic Manor, has claimed the captain may not need a Welsh presence in October.

Selecting backroom staff from the host country has been a particularly popular idea - both Seve Ballesteros in 1997 and Ian Woosnam in 2006 selected assistants in order to arouse the home crowds.

However, Price believes the crowd will not need igniting by a Welshman, commenting: "Monty is very popular himself, I wouldn't call him Welsh but he's very popular here."  

Montgomerie has expressed a desire to involve a Welshman in his squad, but with all Welsh playing hopes lying on youngster Rhys Davies, who is currently placed 27th on the World Ryder Cup Points list, a home presence may come through the form of backroom support.

Whilst both Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley have been rumoured to be in Monty's plans, Price has told the European captain that he would love to help beat the American's again.

The Welshman, who is a member at the 2010 Ryder Cup venue, added: "Monty has not spoken a word to me about being an assistant and he is the one that has to decide and consider whether he thinks that's going to help things.

"The crowd love Monty and having him here will get the crowd excited enough."

The 2010 Ryder Cup starts on October 1.

Where next?
Tour news: Ryder Cup captains set for Senior OpenEquipment: Your guide to buying new irons Competitions: Win great prizes