With Luke Donald celebrating his wild card call-up with a win in Switzerland on Sunday – and that two weeks after Stewart Cink did the same in Akron - Montgomerie is out to follow suit in Cologne.

It would certainly bring a big smile to captain Bernhard Langer’s face if he does. I want to win before the end of the year. It would justify Bernhard’s decision, but it would also be good for my own self-esteem and confidence,” said the 41-year-old Scot.

As divorce proceedings continue, Montgomerie had three days at EuroDisney with his three children and commented: “I brought the same number of kids home that I left with, which was a pretty good effort I thought.”

Another good effort is guaranteed at Oakland Hills, but it remains to be seen whom the most experienced player in the match – on either side – will be paired with.

At The Belfry two years ago it was Langer and Montgomerie said: “I will be delighted if anybody wants to put their name down next to mine.

“I will go out and have fun and try my best. I am sure Bernhard has some ideas, but if people are uncomfortable with one another it is no good and we have to go to him and say ‘Look, I would like to play him or him’ or whatever the case may be.”

The missing four this week are Donald, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and David Howell. The last two were in the starting line-up, but Westwood’s wife Laurae gave birth to daughter Poppy Grace on Sunday, while Howell is suffering from a heavy cold.

More worryingly, Darren Clarke withdrew from yesterday’s pro-am with wrist trouble. But he said it was only as a precaution.