Monty wants Ryder Cup scrap

Despite the horrific scenes at Brookline in 1999, former European number One Colin Montgomerie has urged potential European Ryder Cup players not to lose sight of the fact that it is the biggest event in World golf and the fiercely competitive spirit should not be lost.

Justin Leonard holed an outrageous putt on the 17th green at Brookline in 1999 and the scenes that followed marred the very core values of golf.

Monty…taking the fight to the Yanks

The American team, wives, press and cameramen stampeded across the green while his opponent, Jose Maria Olazabal, still had a putt for the half.

But while those scenes hit the press and the backlash that followed may change the biennial games spirit, making it a more serene display of golf, Monty believes that Europe should still show some serious fighting spirit, keeping within the confines of good sportsmanship.

It was in 1999 that drunken American fans insulted, taunted and shouted cruel jibes at Monty as he walked the fairways of the Ryder Cup, but the Big Scot holed every putt he looked at to keep them quiet and that is what he is suggesting the European Team do this year.

"The Ryder Cup just would not work without its competitiveness and fire. There will be incidents at The Belfry," Said Monty.

"There are always incidents in matchplay and certain things creep up to make the rivalry even more intense - which is good. This is what it needs.

Speaking in the Daily Mirror, he added: "There is no point in going around giving each other five-foot putts all day long. So let's be competitive, but at the same time respect the etiquette of the game."

Europe meet the Americans again in September at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfiled near Birmingham for the Ryder Cup matches and will be lead by Sam Torrance in their bid to regain the historical trophy.