McIlroy: Monty has nothing to gain at Gleneagles

• By Ryan Lavner
• Jan 14, 2013 12:00 PM ET

A day after he (once again) publicly endorsed Paul McGinley for the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy, Rory McIlroy couldn’t escape the inevitable question Monday in Abu Dhabi – even during his Nike introduction.  

“Everyone deserving should get their chance,” McIlroy said. “I personally don’t feel like (Colin Montgomerie) has anything to gain over this. If we go to Gleneagles and lose, he’s already a winning Ryder Cup captain.

“I’m fully behind Paul and think Paul should get the job and hopefully he does.”

The European Tour committee, which includes both McGinley and Montgomerie, will meet Tuesday in Abu Dhabi to determine who will lead the European side at the 2014 Ryder Cup. The favorite to land the gig depends on which unnamed source you believe.

McIlroy, who was on the 2009 Seve Trophy team that was captained by McGinley, said he was most impressed with McGinley’s attention to the “small details” and that he “doesn’t leave any stone unturned.” McGinley, it should be noted, also served as a vice captain for the past two Ryder Cup teams, both victorious.

“I had a great experience playing under him,” McIlroy said. “(Of) any captain I’ve played under, I feel he was the best. … I just think he’d make a really great captain.”

Of course, the Northern Irishman is not the only player who thinks so.

On Monday, two likely Ryder Cuppers also tweeted:

I hope Paul McGinley gets his chance, he's been an amazing Vice Captain and deserves an opportunity #2014RyderCup

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) January 14, 2013

Darren has taken his name out of the running for Ryder cup captaincy. It would be fantastic to have Paul Mcginley as the 2014 captain.

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) January 14, 2013

Undoubtedly, the best part of the saga is this: the politicking ends this week.