EUROPE’S Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie last night said the victory would not have been possible without the love and guidance of Jesus Christ.
Dedicating the win to his ‘lord and saviour’, Montgomerie said it was a privilege to be able to use his talents to please Almighty God.
As Celtic Manor reverberated to chants of ‘E-E-C! number one!’ the 47 year-old Scot insisted the 14½ – 13½ triumph was testament to the core European values of freedom, hard work and regular church attendance.
He said: “I just feel so lucky that I have been able to fulfil my potential thanks to the love of Jesus Christ my saviour and the constitutional rights guaranteed to me under the Treaty of Lisbon.
“I knew there was no way we could lose as long as I prayed hard every night and chose players who had accepted Jesus into their hearts. I guess that’s why – when it comes to golf – Europe is God’s chosen continent.”
England’s Ian Poulter added: “I would like to send a big ‘shout out’ to my pastor and the members of my bible study group.
“I can’t wait to pray with you guys this weekend.”
Tom Logan, golf commentator for US TV channel ABC, stressed Montgomerie had made a ‘very European’ speech that would probably have made American audiences feel slightly uncomfortable.
He added: “Europeans are very open about their faith and believe that it has a direct effect on whether or not they win things, like golf matches and oil wars.
“Imagine if we were like that? Euuurgh.”
