Monty vows to stay out of Ollie's way at Medinah

• By Ryan Lavner
• Sep 13, 2012 10:06 AM ET

Though his desire to captain the 2014 European Ryder Cup team has not waned, Colin Montgomerie vowed Thursday not to interfere with this year’s captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, at Medinah Country Club.

In fact, Montgomerie told European journalist Bernie McGuire that, as the most recent former captain, he’s been invited to three private functions at the Ryder Cup (Opening Ceremony, Gala Dinner, Closing Ceremony). The Scot has declined each one, for various reasons.

“I’ve been invited to all three events, but then I am commentating for Sky (Sports) on the Opening Ceremony, so I can’t be in two places at one time,” Montgomerie said, according to the report. “I’m afraid I will leave the Gala Dinner to the teams as I don’t want to be part of that. Again, the Closing Ceremony I will be commentating, so I have politely declined all three.

“That’s not my role, and I don’t want to get in the way of Ollie as it’s his week, as it is for Davis (Love III). So it’s not a week for former captains.”

The report also mentioned that only three players – Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts and Paul Lawrie – will join Olazabal on the flight from London to Chicago on Sept. 24. The rest of the team either has a home base in the U.S. or will already be in the States.

Montgomerie later withdrew from this week’s BMW Italian Open, reportedly with a torn calf muscle.