Captain James creates Ryder Cup dilemma

Europe's Ryder Cup captain Mark James created a potential problem for himself by finishing second in the British PGA championship on Monday.

Rounds of 67 70 72 and 66 over the West Course promoted James to seventh in the Ryder Cup rankings, sandwiched between Darren Clarke and Bernhard Langer.

The Englishman displayed form good enough to suggest he merits a place in the team to play the Americans in September.

But tournament winner Colin Montgomerie said James cannot hope to perform the twin roles of captain and player.

"Mark James has a dilemma. I believe, and I'm sure he understands, you can't do both jobs. If he qualifies, that's great for him but I feel, and I think he feels, that number 11 (on the Ryder Cup rankings) would automatically qualify," Montgomerie said.

"To be honest, I don't think you can do both jobs nowadays -- not with the media attention, the television interviews and getting the pairings in at the right time.

"If he gives up the Ryder Cup captaincy, then that's a whole different ball game. But I haven't heard that one before."

Sooner, rather than later, James has to make up his own mind on his options but he said he preferred to wait awhile.

"At the moment, it is a bit too early. But I guess if it (my good form) were to go on for much longer, I'd have to sit down with the powers-that-be and discuss what might happen.

"I'll think about it in a month or two and see how it goes. It's still not really a possibility, though," James said.

"I don't really mind whether I play or captain. The captaincy is something I'm enjoying and playing golf can be enjoyable too. But, one way or the other, I will be there (in Brookline)."

Reuters