Judge my selections when this is all over says Monty

According to captain Colin Montgomerie – and perhaps he is not the most impartial observer – the top two stars in his side are already turning on the style.

Harrington was, of course, the most hotly-debated wild card pick, earning the vote over world No 7 Paul Casey despite failing to win a game in the last two matches.

"There are reasons why Padraig Harrington was picked and judge me about that selection on October 4 and not now," said defiant Montgomerie, who with Harrington beat Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the opening tussle of the 2004 contest in Detroit.

"I feel the criticism was very unjustified to be honest. I know what Padraig Harrington can do and that's why he was picked.

"He's had three eagles already. He's playing the best golf of my team.

"He's a world player, he's won three major championships and the stature of the guy is second to none within our team.

"I met him when he came in on Sunday evening (following a 64 in Paris). He walked into the Celtic Manor as if he was a rookie – fantastic – and was really up about the whole thing, and has been since."

Westwood is Europe's top-ranked player, at third in the world, and their most experienced Ryder Cup campaigner with six caps, but has not played a tournament since August 6 because of a torn calf muscle.

For all the Worksop golfer's confident words as he started playing again last week, Celtic Manor has some serious slopes to test out his fitness.

Montgomerie admitted he was very eager to see how he went and commented: "For him to start off so confidently with three birdies in the first four holes ... I know it means very little on Tuesday, but it's always good for one's self-esteem to start off that way.

"He's not played in six or seven weeks and he starts ripping the ball like he has, so I'm very excited for Lee Westwood this week."

Harrington was paired with Luke Donald and they easily took the money off Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher, although Poulter maintains the Irishman had two eagles and not three.

Asked how much he had lost Poulter said: "Too much. I need to get to the cashpoint."

Donald, who earned nearly 1.8m for his second place at the Tour Championship in Atlanta on Sunday, was not so reticent to say the amount – "nearly 400," he commented.

"It was great for the team, bad for my pocket," added Poulter, who was the controversial wild card choice of Nick Faldo two years ago and top-scored with four points out of five.

"Hopefully it (people questioning his selection) has revved Padraig up. I know what it did for me and if it does the same for him he is going to be a serious dangerman."

Not that Poulter, the current World Match Play champion, is without motivation himself.

"I still have a point to prove – they beat us. That's enough. To be on the losing side was not enjoyable, even though I played well."

There were no real surprises in how Montgomerie paired people.

Northern Ireland pair Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy were together and gained revenge for finishing second to Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari at last November's World Cup.

McDowell, winner of the Wales Open on the course in June with closing rounds of 64 and 63, pitched in from 50 yards for an eagle on the 15th.

Westwood was with Miguel Angel Jimenez and they beat uncapped pair Martin Kaymer and Peter Hanson 3&2.

Opposite number Corey Pavin offered fewer clues in how he sent his men out, saying it was just an exercise in them learning the course and shaking off jet-lag.

Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, who won all their four games together at last year's Presidents Cup, were in the same fourball but with Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson as their respective partners.

Behind them came Matt Kuchar with Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk with Jeff Overton and then Phil Mickelson with Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson with Bubba Watson.

Short work may be made of rough

What is likely to be the most dramatic hole at this week's Ryder Cup could be about to change.

Only three of Europe's 12 players – Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington – found the green 262 yards away at the driveable par-four 15th.

And with America having the longer hitters, Colin Montgomerie may use his position as home captain to make it slightly easier for his side.

Unlike the Wales Open in June, there is rough instead of fairway just short of the green on the direct line through the trees.

Montgomerie commented: "I felt it was too easy a hole, but we will have a team meeting and the rough might not stay."

Luke Donald said: "You want to design the course around the strengths of your players.

"It would be nice to go for it (there is the alternative route of playing it as a dogleg) and if there was a little bit of short grass in front of the green it's a good place for me to aim for sure."