Ryder Cup captain Monty prepares for milestone European Tour appearance

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie will become only the 18th man ever to reach 500 PGA European Tour appearances this week as he tees off at the Open de Andalucia at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla.

Forty-five-year-old Monty told Sky Sports that he is very proud to be part of such an elite group of golfers to achieve the feat.

"It usually takes about four years to get a hundred, so it means I've been on the tour for 20 years playing 25 tournaments a year."

And the Scot adds that being made Ryder Cup captain for the 2010 event at Celtic Manor has helped him relax on the course.

"To become Ryder Cup captain has given me a huge responsibility, a sense of responsibility that has given me a feeling of relaxation on the golf course. I'm now enjoying my golf."

Fellow Scot Sam Torrance holds the current record for European Tour appearance at 704.

Eight-time Order of Merit winner Monty will be looking for his 32nd European Tour title at the Open de Andalucia at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla which tees off on Thursday.

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