Colin Montgomerie was appointed 2010 Ryder Cup captain by the European Tour's tournament committee on Wednesday. The eight-time European number one replaces Nick Faldo, who was in charge for last year's 16 1/2-11 1/2 defeat by United States in Valhalla, Kentucky. “I am proud and honored to be selected captain,” Montgomerie told a news conference. “It is a huge responsibility having lost the last Ryder Cup. “It is important we do everything we can to claim the Ryder Cup back.” Although he failed to qualify for the biennial match in 2008, the 45-year-old Montgomerie has a wealth of Ryder Cup experience. In 2006 the burly Briton became the second European after Bernhard Langer to play in five winning teams. He was also unbeaten in eight singles matches after making his debut in 1991. Montgomerie (23 1/2) is third on the list of Europe's leading points scorers but his appointment as skipper appears to have ended his hopes of breaking Faldo's record haul of 25. The Scot will be up against United States captain Corey Pavin when the 2010 Ryder Cup is played at the Celtic Manor resort in Newport, Wales from Oct. 1-3. Stenson at home in desert Henrik Stenson is hopeful that familiarity will breed success when the 20th anniversary edition of the Dubai Desert Classic brings the curtain down on the European Tour's three-leg Gulf swing this week. The big Swede has been resident in Dubai for several years now benefitting from the year-round sunshine and the spectacular growth in golfing facilities and already he has reaped the benefits. He won the region's premier title in 2007 and was in contention again last year until a closing 74 let him down. All this at a time when he has established himself as a world top tenner with genuine aspirations to become the first Swede to win a major championship. “It's one of my favorite courses, absolutely,” said Stenson who has a home just a couple of minutes away from the Emirates Golf Course where he plays, outside of the tournament, around 10 times a year. Tiger Woods is not defending the title he won in style last. The American is recovering from major knee surgery. That has taken some of the glamor out of the tournament, but also, according to Paul Casey who won in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago, opened the door for some others. Leading the way will be world No.2 Sergio Garcia. Record three-times former winner Ernie Els meanwhile is looking for a timely bounce to get his season fully underway.
