With the 2010 Ryder Cup rapidly approaching, Colin Montgomerie (the European team’s captain) has been forced to think fast and make tough decisions as to which individuals to choose for inclusion in his team after some of his top stars decided to ignore his pleas for them to earn their places automatically.
So, what has the response to this dilemma been from Monty? Well, frankly it has been inconsistent. Picking Padraig Harrington, a man reportedly disliked by a large number of players in the European team, yet choosing to ignore the claims of Paul Casey seems a little strange. With both these men having spurned the pleas of Monty in the recent past, why has he chosen to pick Harrington and not Paul Casey? It certainly isn't a choice that revolves around Harrington’s record at previous Ryder Cups; he's failed to win once in 10 attempts.
However, according to the Golf odds, Casey still has a small chance of gaining a place at the event, although if this does happen it would, in all likelihood, be to the detriment of European hopes, as it would involve a call up to replace the currently injured Lee Westwood.
In spite of the widespread criticism surrounding the decision to pick Harrington (who coincidently has been bang out of form recently), it is unlikely that many fans will be despondent at the decision from Monty to pick Edoardo Molinari, who is likely to reform the successful partnership with his brother in the doubles.
With the European side considered to be leading the way when it comes to Ryder Cup favourite odds to winthe Cup that they lost in 2008 on US soil, European fans will be hopeful that their side can produce a dominating display in front of their home fans at Celtic Manor.