Monty sad this will be his last Ryder Cup

involvement

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Colin Montgomerie has admitted to more than a tinge of sadness as he counts down to a Ryder Cup for which he has already written a loser's speech - just in case.
But it was not the thought of the Americans returning home with the trophy that had Montgomerie staring into space on an empty first tee at Celtic Manor. It was the realisation that, after eight matches as a player and now another as Europe's captain, this might well be his last involvement in an event which has brought him more happiness than any other.

"I stood on that first tee and had a thought to myself about would I ever do this again," the 47-year-old Scot told BBC Radio Five Live. "I do hope it's given me incentive to do that - it's been almost half my life that I've been involved in this competition - but I think possibly those days are behind me."

He added: "I'd like to think not and I would love to play again, but you've got to be realistic.
"I will be trying for 2012, but the competition now has got so good. There are 12 much better players that can do a job for Europe more than I can.

"It's getting more and more difficult and there's never been a European captain who's got back into the team.

"I've got to get my game back in shape. It's taken a back seat the last two years. I've had one eye on the players and one on myself and I need both on myself."

The former world number two, who admits he will be drinking "in moderation" each night to help him sleep, now ranks 422nd and has not had even a top-10 finish for 27 months.

As for the loser's speech - "I hate to use that term," he stated - Montgomerie just wants to be seen as leaving no stone unturned in his plans.

"I've had to prepare a runner-up speech, or the non-winning speech. If the result doesn't go our way I think it's very important to prepare," he added.