European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie believes that competition for places in his side to face the USA has seen the players raise their game over the past couple of years (Europe 4/6 to win Ryder Cup).

The 47-year-old will be in charge of the Europeans when they try to regain the cup from the Americans at Celtic Manor in Wales from October 1-3.

‘Monty’ will have one of the most talented teams in years at his disposal, with experienced players near the top of the rankings who have won on both sides of the Atlantic in recent times.

The leading four players on the Ryder Cup World Points List are Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, who have all won stateside this year.

They will be joined by the top five in the European Points List and the likes of Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Martin Kaymer may have to use this route to qualify, with two-time US winner Justin Rose relying on one of three captain’s picks unless he can continue his rapid rise up the rankings (Rose 20/1 to win Open Championship).

Montgomerie feels that the increased pressure for places is good news and he has witnessed a change in attitude towards all aspects of the game as players scramble for the remaining places on his team.

“I’ve never seen people practice so hard physically, mentally, on every aspect of the game as I’ve seen this year especially, and last,” he said. “I never worked, ever, as hard as these guys are right now on their games.”