European Insider: Montgomerie still facing tough choices

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Deadline day is fast approaching. Who will be on the European Ryder Cup team, competing at Celtic Manor in October? And maybe more intriguingly, who'll miss out?

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With the current strength of European golf, Colin Montgomerie has a more difficult choice than usual in assigning his captain's picks.

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, two-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Rose, Paul Casey and world No. 10 Luke Donald are all outside the nine direct qualification places. They will need to get the nod from Monty after having decided to play in The Barclays this week rather than the final European qualifying event, the Johnnie Walker Championship.

Montgomerie, who serves as Championship Chairman as well as Ryder Cup captain, had to appeal to players for their attendance, but he's pragmatic enough to know there'd be conflicts. Still, it adds spice to the debate of whether he'll favor players who heeded his call.

SWEDISH INVOLVEMENT

Certainly, Peter Hanson has done what he could to make it to the European team.

His fellow Swedes Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson would have been the two expected to thrive when the qualification process started, but they are currently well down the pecking order.

Hanson was close enough that he asked the organizers of the Czech Open for a last-minute invitation. He'd played well in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and believed his game was in good shape despite not getting the rewards at Whistling Straits, so he was determined to play on.

At the Prosper Golf Club, Hanson did just that. He prospered despite squandering a four-stroke lead on the final day. It was no wonder he felt the tension, knowing a win would see him into the automatic places for Wales, but he prevailed in the end in a playoff.

"It easily means the most at the moment, " he said. "I know I won my own home event, but to come here and know that I have to win to have a chance and to pull it together is fantastic."

Hanson had already won in Mallorca this season, and this fourth win of his career suggests he's in the form of his life. He knocked Paul Casey out of the top nine on the standings, and jumped above Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Hanson stresses that his place on the team isn't yet certain. He's well aware that others could perform well at Gleneagles and knock him out. So Hanson heads to Scotland to try to rubber stamp things.

The same goes for Jimenez, although this is a change of plans. He was pretty adamant that he would attend his nephew's wedding, but a closing 73 meant he finished seventh in the Czech Republic, and hence the insecurity of another two-times European Tour winner this season. And it means the place held by Francesco Molinari is now less certain too.

DARING DYSON

Simon Dyson still believes he can earn a place at Celtic Manor. He made the lengthy trip from Wisconsin to Ostrava to play in the Czech Open, and it very nearly paid off.

Like Jimenez, it wasn't the final day he desired as Dyson closed with a 72, but fifth place earned enough to push him closer to the top nine, and a win at the Johnnie Walker would do the trick.

Ross McGowan's form has not been good of late, but first or second at Gleneagles and he could be in the team. Alvaro Quiros needs to win too.

PICKS

There'll be a lot of conjecture and speculation in Scotland over Montgomerie's choices. He's already caused surprise with his pick of Darren Clarke as a vice-captain so maybe there'll be a player selected from out of left field.

Former captain Sam Torrance has already suggested Harrington, Casey and Justin Rose. For what it's worth, I think Harrington and Casey will be chosen and I'd go with Edoardo Molinari rather than the other more established players, provided his brother's in the team by rights.

NO WELSH

Colin Montgomerie has always said he'd welcome Welsh involvement in his team in Newport. Rhys Davies looked like he might provide that home flavour, but his form has dipped.

Phillip Price, a Ryder Cup winner in 2002, has always said he'd like to be involved but he has other pressing concerns right now. He's in danger of losing playing rights on the European Tour.

Thankfully, in the Czech Republic there were encouraging signs. A double bogey at the 72nd hole cost him dearly, slipping from ninth to 13th, but with the potential to play another eight events this season, he's now edging closer to the magic top 115 on the Race to Dubai to keep his career intact.

Nick Dye is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not neccessarity represent the PGA TOUR.