“We have a job on our hands,” said the Scot after an opening 70 in the BMW International Open in Munich left him three shots off the lead.

“Tom Lehman has done everything right so far. It was a helluva achievement to get all 12 of his side to the K Club at the start of the week and I think they will be a far more unified group. I don’t think this is going 18 1/2-9 1/2.”

Two years ago, Montgomerie was battling for a place in the team that went to Detroit and it was only after he finished the final qualifying event that captain Bernhard Langer took him aside and handed him a wild card.

This time, with three rounds left in the points race, the man who sank the putt that guaranteed Europe's biggest-ever victory is safely in.

But he can still influence who lines up alongside him in three weeks’ time. He lies in a tie for 24th in Germany entering the second day and if he finishes in the top 47 it could save Paul McGinley and put Jose Maria Olazabal in danger of losing out.

McGinley, currently 10th in the standings, may need to improve six shots on his opening 75 just to survive the halfway cut.

Failing to do that would mean an anxious weekend for the Dubliner, but two players would have to get past him if Montgomerie continues as he has started, and since the three with a chance – Paul Broadhurst, Johan Edfors and John Bickerton – began 72, 72 and 73 and have to finish third, second and first respectively McGinley is still looking good.

Olazabal, to the great surprise of Montgomerie and others not playing this week, will hardly be sweating on his spot yet, but Thomas Bjorn can also catch him and he resumed one under.

Joint leaders on five under were David Howell, another sure of his place, Gary Evans, Garry Houston and Martin Erlandsson.

As for Woosnam’s two likely wild cards, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, the former will make his first appearance since the death of his wife in Madrid in two weeks – the week before the match – and the latter will try to build on yesterday’s superb 68 .

Superb because Westwood has suspected tonsilitis and would have been tucked up in bed at home but for wanting to give his claims for a captain’s pick one final push.