By Bernie McGuire
CHAMBOURCY, France (Reuters) - Europe Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has revealed that all 12 of his team members will play on the opening day of competition against the U.S. at Celtic Manor next week.
Montgomerie consulted with his four vice-captains before announcing his intention to send out each of his players on October 1.
"I know who is going to be on that first tee on Friday morning and they've been informed so they can prepare accordingly," Montgomerie told reporters at the Vivendi Cup on Wednesday.
"I've said from the word go, that I didn't want this to be blocked out and hidden and in the dark in anyway. This is a very open campaign and it goes through to the players and it goes through to who is playing when and where.
"So barring accidents, illness mishaps or whatever all 12 players will play the first day."
Swede Peter Hanson, who qualified for his first Ryder Cup by winning the Czech Open, was delighted with the decision.
"It feels great to know I'm getting a game on the first day," he said.
"It's going to help me a lot knowing I am going to be playing Friday, instead of having a situation where you go out and play practice rounds and you don't really know, as a rookie, if I am going to get a game or not.
"I can now prepare myself percent and try to play my absolute best in that match."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
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