Montgomerie is European Ryder Cup captain

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Scotland's Colin Montgomerie has been chosen captain of the 2010 European Ryder Cup golf team.

The selection was announced Wednesday at a news conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- the site of this week's Dubai Desert Classic on the European golf tour, which starts Thursday -- by Thomas Bjorn, chairman of Europe's 15-man Ryder Cup tournament committee.

The BBC said Montgomerie was chosen ahead of 2008 vice-captain Jose Maria Olazabal, with England's Sandy Lyle and 2006 captain Ian Woosnam of Wales also believed to be in the running.

"This is obviously one of my proudest moments," Montgomerie said. "It's not just an honor but a huge responsibility as well. It is important we do everything we can to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010."

Corey Pavin is captain of the United States team.

The event is scheduled to run from Oct. 1-3, 2010, at Newport, Wales.