• Out of Bounds

Stop the fuss over Ryder Cup preparations

Colin Montgomerie masterminded victory at the Royal Trophy and will be keen to repeat the feat in the Ryder Cup © Getty Images

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There is a growing furore over what is likely to be a dearth of top European talent taking part in the Wales Open next month. Under normal circumstances, the decision of the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy to skip an event with a prize fund of £1.8m in favour of a crack at a $6m pot at the Memorial Tournament would not raise any eyebrows.

However, Celtic Manor - the venue for the Wales Open - is playing host to the Ryder Cup this year and Colin Montgomerie has made it clear that he feels those who have designs on making the European team in October should head to the Principality to familiarise themselves with the venue.

European captain Montgomerie is not one to cross when he is angry, but he did stop short of making it a requirement that those in contention for the Ryder Cup play in the Wales Open.

It is common sense that familiarising yourself with a course prior to a competition can only be of benefit, but Out of Bounds can't quite understand what all the fuss is about if the Europeans choose to head elsewhere on June 3.

These guys are professionals at the top of their sport and have every right to pick and choose the events they wish to play. If they choose to play at Celtic Manor, all well and good. If not, so be it. If the European Tour wants to attract the best players to its events it has to dangle a carrot in front of them. And that carrot is not saying it would be in their best interests ahead of the Ryder Cup to play the course in a competitive environment.

Europe were totally dominant at Oakland Hills © Getty Images

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Looking back to 2004, Europe's biggest win in the Ryder Cup on US soil came at Oakland Hills. This is an Oakland Hills that did not host a tournament in 2004 and as such the European players went in 'cold' - stepping foot on the course for the first time in the week of the event.

The result was an 18½ - 9½ win for the Europeans and quite simply blows out of the water the suggestion that the players need to play the course well in advance to learn its characteristics.

The preparations the top players put in cannot be faulted, no stone is left unturned and it is certain they will know plenty about Celtic Manor come September whether they have played the course in advance or not.

Colin Montgomerie is the man in charge come the end of September and at that point he can demand 100% commitment from his players, but prior to then they need to be allowed to manage their schedules in the way they see fit.

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