Compiled by Philip Reid
Monty not miffed
Snubbed? Overlooked? Not a bit of it. Colin Montgomerie - the linchpin of Europe's Ryder Cup dominance of recent times - wasn't a bit surprised that Nick Faldo didn't ask him to be one of his assistant captains for next year's match with the United States in Kentucky.
In fact, Monty gave his blessing to Faldo's choice of Paul McGinley and Jose-Maria Olazabal for the assistant captaincy roles, although he will nominate replacements should one or both of them secure an automatic playing place on the team.
"The important thing is that both of them are involved either way, as an administrator or as a player," said Montgomerie.
Of the qualities that McGinley, a three-time winning Ryder Cup player will bring to the set-up, Montgomerie said: "Paul is a very good listener, which is very important. He is also intelligent. So, I think someone who listens and who is intelligent can offer an opinion back if necessary. It is a very positive move by Nick to get Paul and Jose-Maria involved."
Faldo's choice didn't surprise Harrington either, although he claimed not to have been on McGinley's inner circle and that he only became aware of his fellow-Dubliner's nomination by Faldo when informed by his wife, Caroline, who saw the news on teletext. "I think it is a good choice by Faldo. Ollie is very passionate, and McGinley is very passionate, although he doesn't show it as much. There is a good balance there. I see them as very logical selections."
Donald ducks out
Luke Donald's reason for missing out on the Irish Open last week was pretty acceptable - he was in Greece organising his wedding. The Englishman is due to marry long-time girlfriend Diane Antonopoulos on the Greek isle of Santorini on June 24th, which means he has a good excuse for missing out on the BMW International in Munich on the European Tour and the Travelers Championship on the US Tour that week.
Whether he will be getting married as the new US Open champion remains to be seen. The wedding takes place the week after the season's second major at Oakmont.
Singh-ing the praises
Vijay Singh's roots are on the European Tour, where he served his apprenticeship before becoming a major player in the game . . . but the Fijian believes the PGA Championship at Wentworth would attract more Americans if it were upgraded to a World Golf Championship event and increased its prize fund.
"This event would be the (equivalent of the) TPC of the States. It is a premier event in Europe. I'm just saddened by the fact that when you have the TPC in the US, you have a lot of Europeans going over there and playing. This event is big, even bigger, and you (only) have a handful of guys coming over. That's kind of sad," said Singh.
So, what would it take to entice more American players? "I don't know. Make it a $10 million tournament? I guess that's the only way."
Poulter's partners
Arsenal football supporter Ian Poulter - who has often kitted out in the club's colours when playing - had Gunners Ray Parlour and Lee Dixon as playing partners in yesterday's pro-am. But Poulter had to be careful about his allegiances with Arsenal with the fourth member of the team: Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, who plays off a seven handicap.
