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Colin Montgomerie
No problem: fans don’t worry skipper Colin Montgomerie

Colin Montgomerie's sure Euro fans will play fair

13 Oct 2009


Colin Montgomerie is confident the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor has nothing to worry about in terms of any unsporting crowd behaviour.

Europe will bid to regain golf's greatest team prize when it is contested on Welsh soil for the first time next year.

Crowd behaviour has not been a problem since the contentious clash at Brookline in 1999, when Montgomerie's father was forced to leave the course due to the abuse directed at his son.

And Europe captain Montgomerie and opposite number Corey Pavin are united in anticipating a trouble-free event from October 1-3.

Asked if it would be acceptable for spectators to cheer missed putts, Montgomerie said: "No, it's not okay. Never has been and never should be.

"You will know if a European putt goes in and you will know if an American putt goes in. There will be different cheers for different putts.

"There should be no animosity shown to any player or any team member from our guests.

"The American team are guests here in Europe and we treat it as such. If there is anything that goes around, I will be the first person to stamp it out.

"I don't envisage any problem at all. I think those days are behind us and we are glad about that."

Pavin added: "Cheering for missed putts or missed shots is inappropriate and I think true golf fans understand that.

"They know that and we will see that all the time here, I believe."

Montgomerie, a veteran of eight Ryder Cup campaigns, hopes as many of his prospective 12-strong team will familiarise themselves with Celtic Manor by playing in next summer's Wales Open.

He will email players to that effect, encouraging them to enter the Wales Open, an event that several of his star names have not featured in before.

"It goes without saying that in the Wales Open, if I have one of my European potentials or probables or possibles - or whatever you call them - to win by a few shots here does them no harm at all," he added.

Montgomerie also revealed he would like Welsh representation either in his team or among the support staff.

"If I don't have a Welsh representative on the course playing, I would like to have some sort of Welsh help in the background," he said.

"I think it is good for everybody, the fact that 65-70% of the spectators here will be Welsh.

"It's only right that I would encourage some of the backroom staff to be of that nationality."

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anyone remember when monty in mid 90's went thru the american players one by one, insulting them. remember he said about brad faxon - he's going thru a divorce - i hope the last put comes down to him. or about scott hoch - he choked the masters - i hope he gets it. he insulted everyone on the team one by one. great seeing he has turned over a new leaf.

- Pedro, london UK, 13/10/2009 16:14
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