At site of 2014 Ryder Cup, Monty dares to dream of one more moment

Colin Montgomerie is still hoping to play in the Ryder Cup one more time, six years after his last appearance on the European team.

The Scottish star played in eight Ryder Cups between 1991 and 2006 and captained the team to victory at Celtic Manor last year. But as the qualifying period for next year's match at Medinah Country Club gets under way at the Omega European Masters next week, the 48-year-old is still intent on winding back the clock.

"I would love to play once more, but I would have to be on top of my game the entire year to compete," he said Wednesday at the Johnnie Walker Championship, which is being played at the Gleneagles Resort, the host venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Montgomerie admits he will have his work cut out for him after dropping out of the top 50 in the world who automatically qualify for the majors and World Championship events.

"If you are not in the top 50 (in the world ranking) right now, you are right on the back foot and it is very difficult,” he admitted. "It is like trying to compete in the Premiership (English soccer league) with no money. It's almost impossible.

"If you are not in the top 50 it is nigh on impossible,” he added. “You have got to win four or five times to prove to the captain that you are winning and that you are playing well, and then hopefully get selected as a captain's choice."

Jose Maria Olazabal will captain the European team next year and was non-commital on Monty's prospects of a return to the team.

"It is early days," he told Sky Sports News. "The qualifying system starts this week. It is not up to me -- it is up to the boys. They really have to play good golf. It is tough to make the team and to to do so they are going to have to play really, really well.

"As I say, it's early days and many things can happen from now on,” he added. “Hopefully from now on all the top players will be in good shape and be in the team."