Montgomerie: Sergio not likely to be on Ryder Cup team

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When Sergio Garcia announced last week that he was planning to take an extended break from the game after the PGA Championship, we were all but sure his run of five straight Ryder Cup teams was coming to an end.

And judging from Colin Montgomerie's comments Friday, the European captain won't be taking a chance on the emotional Spaniard, who has been the heart-and-soul of so many teams. Asked if he could see Garcia, who shot 78 in the first round at Whistling Straits, on his team, Montgomerie was blunt.

"At this stage it is not looking likely, no," he said.

Montgomerie, who missed the cut after shooting 79-83, said he plans to spend the rest of the week watching his prospective team members. The final five automatic qualifiers for his team will be finalized at the end of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on Aug. 29. He'll make his Captain's picks that day, as well.

That tournament is played opposite The Barclays, which is the first event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Earlier in the year, Monty had said he wanted all his prospective players to compete at Gleneagles, but he said this week that he was comfortable with the ones who hold PGA TOUR membership playing The Barclays, too.

In fact, Montgomerie said earlier this week that he thought the Playoffs were a "big reason" the Americans dominated the last Ryder Cup. And he sees no reason the Europeans can't prosper similarly.

"I have spoken to everyone I needed to speak to about their schedules before and including Gleneagles and understand their commitments over here and understand the ones playing at Gleneagles and I am fine about that," Montgomerie said. "I look forward to selecting a very, very strong team within the next fortnight."