Despite political grumblings from opposition parties in Scotland over the decision to grant Celtic Manor host status, Montgomerie insisted he was delighted for Wales.

The European Tour simultaneously announced that Gleneagles, one of four Scottish courses overlooked for 2010, would host the event in 2014, news which also thrilled Montgomerie.

"My warmest congratulations to Wales on their successful bid to host the 2010 Ryder Cup," said Scotland's number one golfer.

"I'm sure they will stage a wonderful tournament and this opportunity will provide a great boost for Welsh golf and the Welsh economy.

"My support for Scotland has always been a personal choice and this announcement would seem to be to the benefit of the game in Wales, Scotland and ultimately golf in Europe as a whole, so should be welcomed warmly by everyone who has an interest in the game."

Former Scotland rugby international, Gavin Hastings, admitted he was disappointed at losing out in the bid for 2010, but also extended his congratulations to Wales.

Hastings' public relations company, Hastings International, was chosen by the Scottish Executive to co-ordinate and front the failed Scottish bid.

But he insisted that he still believed that the bid put forward by Scotland had been the best on offer.

"We have a prize for four years later and clearly the benefits to tourism and the economy are still going to be around in 2014," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I don't think, from our perspective, anything went wrong. We put a very strong package together and we still believe ours was the best bid.

"But obviously that was a decision for the Ryder Cup committee and it's for them to explain why Celtic Manor won the bid for 2010."