Molinari eyes Ryder Cup place

Edoardo Molinari brought the Ryder Cup debate to boiling point on Saturday by how he played and then by what he said.

With a round to go at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, Molinari is up to second place in the tournament - with a familiar face ahead of him. Brother Francesco, already sure of his cup place, led by one after a four-under-par 68 took him to 10 under.

A Ryder Cup wild card could rest on the outcome of this tournament, and Edoardo commented after his 69: "I would be very upset if I win and he (European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie) doesn't pick me. I'm probably one of the candidates so I think if you win the last event and you don't get picked, there's something seriously wrong."

The argument has been raging for days, of course, about the fact that wild-card favourites Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Luke Donald all decided to stay in America when flying to the final counting event could have seen them qualify.

Justin Rose, who is also in the mix, is in the States too and there is a strong body of opinion that Montgomerie should go for Molinari - a World Cup winner with Francesco last November and 22nd in the world a year after being on Europe's 'second division' Challenge Tour.

Montgomerie, who two years ago criticised Ian Poulter for not being at Gleneagles in the exact same circumstances, was asked if he could leave Edoardo out if he wins.

"Oh yeah," he stated before quickly adding: "I might not. It would make my headache even worse, but it's a lovely headache to have.

"I don't feel under pressure to pick somebody from this tournament. I feel under pressure to pick the best players.

"It's an extremely interesting situation we find ourselves in - and it would happen to me!"