Helping Captain Monty

The United States' exciting victory in the Ryder Cup this past September is still fresh in the minds of many of us, but the team captains have now been selected for both teams and their attention is on the 2010 event, to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

Colin Montgomerie will lead the European team in '10, edging out Jose Maria Olazabal for the captaincy. Prior to missing the team in '08, the 8-time Order of Merit winner had played on 8 consecutive Ryder Cup teams, posting a remarkable record of 20-9-7 and never once losing in singles competition.

While his sometimes salty demeanor hasn't gained him many fans in the States, Monty is a Ryder Cup hero in Europe and will surely rally the troops following the loss in '08. What I would like to do today is preview those who I expect to be the 12 best players in Europe come September 2010.

1. Sergio Garcio - This is a no-brainer. At 29, he's played on five Ryder Cup teams already and posted a career mark of 14-3-3.

2. Padraig Harrington - He will be 39 in 2010, but his play has steadily improved into his late 30s. Despite a Ryder Cup record of 7-11-3, his inclusion is almost guaranteed, as he's won the past two majors and three majors in all since his 35th birthday.

3. Henrik Stenson - This Swede is entering his prime and is now ranked 7th in the Official World Golf Ranking. He has a WGC title to his name and I would expect to see the 32-year-old add some more big time wins to his resume prior to the 2010 Cup.

4. Robert Karlsson - Like Paddy, this 6'5" Swede seems to be getting better with age, winning his first order of Merit in 2008 at the age of 39. Karlsson is a steady performer, winning nine European Tour events thus far in his career and steadily climbing to his current rank of 8th in the World Rankings.

5. Lee Westwood - It absolutely blows my mind to think that Lee Westwood will be a 37-year-old veteran of six Ryder Cups come 2010. I would probably say he's been an underachiever since winning 12 European Tour events between '98 and '00, but he's returning to form since coming close to giving up the game a few years ago.

6. Martin Kaymer - If I were a betting man, I would bet Kaymer would be ranked higher than everyone else on this list except Sergio come 2010. This young German has a ton of talent, has already won a couple big events on the European Tour, and just turned 24.

7. Justin Rose - He's never lived up to the "Next Nick Faldo" expectations, but his career has been solid and he's only 28. I would be shocked if he doesn't add to his win total in the next two years, finally breakthrough on the PGA Tour, and easily make the 2010 squad.

8. Paul Casey - Captain Faldo made this 31-year-old Englishman a Capitain's choice in '08, but I think Casey will emerge as a major contender by 2010 and easily earn his spot. The 3-time Ryder cup vet played brilliantly in Abu Dhabi, earning his first win since 2007.

9. Alvaro Quiros - Last week's winner in Qatar is starting to emerge as a young player to watch. The 26-year-old Spaniard absolutely bombs it (312 yards/drive avg.) and has improved his putting in each of the last three years. Look for him to be highly ranked headed to Wales in 2010.

10. Ian Poulter - The only golfer who loves wearing pink more than Paula Creamer, Poulter hasn't won on the European Tour since '06 and has never won on the PGA Tour. Look for him to break out of his funk (on both tours!), and lock up his spot on the European team in '10.

11. Luke Donald - It's been ten year since winning the NCAA championship, and his four wins (2 in Europe, 2 in the US) have left some saying he's an underachiever. The 31-year-old hasn't won since the '06 Honda, but appears to be healthy and ready to get back in the winner's circle in '09. This is probably my least confident pick, but I think he'll be in Wales come 2010.

12. Rory McIlroy - Maybe I'm nuts, but I think McIlroy will be a top 10 player in the WORLD by 2010, with multiple victories to his name. His only glaring flaw is bad hair, and we'll chalk that up to youth. Look for McIlroy, Kaymer and Sergio be Captain Monty's top players heading into Wales.