Colin Montgomerie is one of Europe's greatest Ryder Cup players, but could have made his last appearance after missing the 2008 team

Montgomerie's Ryder Cup debut comes alongside Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo in the 'War on the Shore' at Kiawah Island in 1991

An early example of what the Ryder Cup means to Monty. He halves his singles with Mark Calcavecchia as Europe lose 14�-13�

Faldo and Montgomerie team up in 1993 and record two wins, a half and one defeat, but Europe are beaten 15-13 at The Belfry

Relations remain cordial in 1995 as Faldo and Montgomerie are paired together again but this time they lose two and win one

But Montgomerie beats Ben Crenshaw 3&1 as Europe take the singles 7�-4� and Bernard Gallacher's team triumph 14�-13�

Partnering Bernard Langer at Valderrama in Spain in 1997, Monty wins one and loses one against Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara

He enjoys two other wins and maintains an unbeaten singles record in a half with Scott Hoch that seals another 14�-13� Europe win

Monty partners then Open champion Paul Lawrie during Europe's defeat at Brookline in 1999, winning two, halving one and losing one

After the event is put back a year following the 9/11 tragedy in 2001, Monty plays an inspirational role again as Europe win 15�-12�

Monty partners the unflappable Langer in the first three pairings and the odd couple record two wins and a half

Sam Torrance's Europeans generate a superb team spirit to seal a 15�-12� success, their biggest victory since 1985

In 2004 Monty is paired with Padraig Harrington and they win 2&1 against Tiger Woods and Phil Mickleson in the opener

Monty is in the driving seat for much of the 2004 event, here with Ian Poulter during happier times between the pair

Fittingly, Montgomerie, a wildcard, has the distinction of holing the putt that wins the Ryder Cup, as Europe coast to victory in Michigan

Europe's 18�-9� win is the largest margin of victory since the USA's in 1981, and the biggest defeat for the Americans on home soil

The support is fervent and the atmosphere unique and electric as the K Club, Ireland hosts the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2006

Monty and Harrington lose to Woods and Jim Furyk in the first match but it is the only American victory on the first day

Captain Woosnam and the superb Irish support help generate another memorable occasion as Europe storm to another 18�-9� win

His 36 games yield 23� points, his undefeated singles run of seven points, with six wins, equals the Cup record - but have we seen the last of Monty in the Ryder Cup?