What would winning the Ryder Cup as captain, as opposed to winning it as a player, mean to you?
The event has been a major part of my career and my life and if the result goes our way in October I would classify it as my own major, even though I wouldn't have hit a shot. But it would be the icing on the cake of my career. It would be my so-called major win.
The way things are shaping up in the rankings, is this likely to be the strongest European team in the history of the event?
I think currently, if everything goes to plan, it's potentially the strongest ever. You look at the players in the frame - the likes of Casey, McIlroy, Poulter, Westwood - they're playing great golf. I'm very happy. I must be the happiest captain in many, many years to see what's been happening. It will be a difficult task, no question, especially given that the Americans are on something of a roll what with the last Ryder Cup and their win at the President's Cup. But it's looking good.
Talking of players, Ian Poulter looks to have booked his place thanks to a wonderful season so far. There have been reports in the press that you haven't always seen eye to eye with him. Is there any truth in that?
Like everyone else I'm just really impressed with the way Ian has developed, and he's going to be a real asset. I admit I got it wrong at the Seve Trophy in the sense that I got on his case too publicly. [They fell out at the event in 2005, when Montgomerie told Poulter he should be watching his team-mates instead of practicing — and got an earful for his trouble.] We were trailing badly at the time, I wasn't happy, and there was a time afterwards that we didn't see eye to eye. Thankfully it's all in the past now. I've got the utmost respect for him for the way he is getting everything out of his game and he respects the position I am in as captain. It's never easy being a pick at the Ryder Cup but look at the way he totally vindicated Nick Faldo's decision to give him a wild card last time. Now he's going to be in the team on merit, and I'm very happy about that. My only worry is that I hope he doesn't mind that the uniforms all have a very classic look.
Sam Torrance told me that the captain's picks created the biggest headache for him when he had the job. He only had two and you, through choice, have three. You don't agree?
It'll be very difficult deciding, of course it will. But I like having options. The more options available the better. I'll be waiting until after the British Open before I decide. That's the third week of July at the earliest as I want to give everybody a chance of making the team.
Tiger has obviously had his problems of late, but how important is it - for both you and Corey Pavin - that he's in the American team in October?
Very. I'm certain Corey wants him on the team and I think any golf tournament with the world's number one player in becomes a bigger event. If we happen to win the Ryder Cup with him playing then I think it's a better win for us.
People will assume that because you're captaining the team this time around, you're not expecting to make the team again as a player. How true is that, and have Tom Watson's performances at the Open and the Masters altered the way you look at the situation?
[Laughs] Thanks very much. He's only 14 years older than I am! But it's interesting. He's given us all food for thought, especially me. To be a putt away from winning the Open in his sixtieth year is one of the greatest sporting achievements we'll ever see. But there's nothing to stop me from playing my way onto the team in 2012 or 2014. No European has ever played in the Ryder Cup after being captain and I'll be trying my damndest to be the first.
So that rules yourself out of captaining the team again in 2012?
Yes it does. I think you only do this once now. We've gone the American way of doing things and there are a lot of other contenders to fill the role in the future whether we win, lose or draw at Celtic Manor.–As told to Alex Jenkins
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