Colin Montgomerie, Europe’s winning 2010 Ryder Cup Captain, collected two awards at the 62nd annual British Sports Awards lunch staged at The Brewery in London by the Sports Journalists’ Association and sponsored by UK Sport.
Montgomerie received the SJA’s Team of the Year prize on behalf of Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning golfers – the sixth time Europe has been awarded this prestigious prize following previous wins in 1985, 1987, 1995, 2002 and 2006. The Scot was presented with the award by BBC Television presenter John Inverdale.
Montgomerie, who steered Europe to a 14 ½ - 13 ½ success at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales, said: “I am delighted to accept the award on behalf of our team – 12 fine men who all contributed to the success. To see the teams nominated for this award makes it an even greater honour for the European Team and golf to come out on top.”
The European Team claimed the award ahead of the English men’s cricket team, unbeaten in Test matches in 2010 and Twenty20 world champions, and the medal-laden Great Britain rowing team.
Montgomerie had a busy time at the awards because as well as collecting the team prize he was also personally honoured with the SJA’s J L Manning award for an outstanding contribution to sport. With Ticket for Troops being the event’s nominated cause, Montgomerie received his award in a special presentation made by the charity’s patron, Christina Schmid, the widow of Sgt Olaf Schmid GC, and by Royal Marine Matt Croucher GC.
“This award means an awful lot to me and I congratulate then SJA for all you do for Ticket for Troops,” said Montgomerie.
Graeme McDowell, the US Open Champion, Lee Westwood, the Number One golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking, and Rory McIlroy, all members of the winning 2010 Ryder Cup Team, finished second, seventh and ninth respectively in the Sportsman of the Year award won by champion jump jockey AP McCoy in a photo-finish with McDowell.
