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Colin Montgomerie said on Monday he would relish the chance to captain Europe's Ryder Cup team on home soil at Gleneagles in 2014.
Though passed over by Nick Faldo for the team to face the United States in Kentucky later this month, the Scot's fine track record in the contest has made him widely tipped for the top job in the future.
Asked about the captaincy in 2014, he told a news conference: "It's a possibility. I would love to, if ever selected. It's not something you apply for, it's something you are invited to be.
"2014 would be favourite I suppose, but it's not up to me. It's up to the European Tour to invite and if that comes, it would be superb."
The 45-year-old's run of eight Ryder Cup campaigns in a row were ended in August when Faldo named Paul Casey and Ian Poulter as his two wildcards for the September 19-21 match in Kentucky.
Montgomerie, who has recorded only three top-10 finishes this campaign, is unbeaten in eight Ryder Cup singles matches since his debut at Kiawah Island in 1991 and has not given up hope of adding to that total.
"I don't believe I've played my last Ryder Cup match or have written my last chapter within the book of the Ryder Cup," he said. "It just gives me more incentive to make the team next time."
Looking ahead to this month's contest, the Scotsman was confident that Faldo's team could make it four consecutive European wins in Kentucky.
"I think the team is very, very strong ... To leave out the likes of Darren Clarke and Carl Pettersen, means they are as strong as ever," he said.
"I think it will be close, but at the same time I think Europe will win.
"Nick knows exactly what he wants to do and I'm sure he will manage very, very well without me on this occasion.
"And I look forward to just playing on the next team, next time."
