Montgomerie gives Garcia Ryder vote of confidence

Colin Montgomerie said on Friday Spanish rookie professional Sergio Garcia should be made a wild-card pick for Europe's team in this year's Ryder Cup.

"I'm not picking the team - that's Mark James's job. But give him (Garcia) to Olazabal and let him go," the six-times European number one said after shooting a second successive 70 in the English Open at Hanbury Manor.

Garcia, 19, only turned professional on the eve of the Spanish Open in late April but has already impressed on both the European and U.S. tours.

He tied for 25th in his debut performance in Barcelona but then stunned Americans when he opened with a 10-under-par 62 on his way to a joint third-place finish in the Byron Nelson Classic three weeks ago.

In his second European Tour appearance, he put together rounds of 70, 70, 71 and 74 for a respectable share of 20th spot at the TPC in Germany.

He then finished joint-19th after a closing 66 in the British PGA at Wentworth last week and on Thursday carded an opening 67 for joint second place in the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

But, as an affiliate member of the European Tour, Garcia can only play in seven tournaments this season on an invitation basis -- unless he were to win an event and qualify automatically for more.

Reuters