"I have been told I am too young (to be captain)," the 41-year-old Scot told British newspapers on Saturday. "Players, officials, everybody has said it is not the right time.

"After hearing what they have all said, I agree with them. If I can maintain my form, I can be there as a player."

Montgomerie said that Bernhard Langer, who led Europe to an 18 1/2-9 1/2 battering of the U.S. at Oakland Hills, Michigan in September, should remain captain if the German decides he wants to continue in the role.

"If he (Langer) does want to do it again, then there's your captain. It's his to say 'no'."

Should Langer decide to step down, the captaincy is likely to be between Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle.