OLIN Montgomerie believes that the new-improved Wentwood Hills course at Celtic Manor will be in great shape and will provide the ideal backdrop for fans to roar the European team to Ryder Cup glory in 2010.

Work has begun on the championship course, with spectator viewing much in mind, and Monty, who has already cast his eyes over the plans, believes that the course will be suitably matured by the time the third biggest sporting event in the world comes to Newport.

"I am glad that work is starting now and not next year," Ryder Cup hero Montgomerie said.

"It had to start quite quickly because it does take time for a course to bed in sufficiently to play on.

"But we will have have played on it in the Wales Opens in 2007,08 and 09 before it comes back to the Roman Road (Celtic Manors second course) in 2010. So after four years of maturing, it should be in good shape."

He added: "I wouldn't have liked it if the work started in two years time because we played the Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island in 1991 and that was only six months old, and it looked it. "It was too hard and bumpy but this will be bedded in and a very good course."

The new course has been designed specifically as a sporting arena and Monty feels that the accessibility to spectators will hand a hefty advantage to the European team.

He said: "It has been designed very much like the Belfry (which has hosted four Ryder Cup matches) with the banks for spectators and there will be a great atmosphere.

"It means there will be no need for lots of stands (which limits the amount of people) and that will be great because, let me tell you, there will be an awful lot of people here in 2010.

"It is the perfect location because the Celtic Manor is within two hours of London and Birmingham and easy to get to from most places, so it is going to be a rather busy place."

Mongomerie has already been made favourite to be captain of the 2010 side, as Ian Woosnan and Nick Faldo have already been selected for the 2006 and 2008 events respectively.

And Monty insists he would gladly take up the role, should he be asked.

"I would be honoured to take that position anywhere," he said. "If that honour is bestowed on me, I will strive to do my utmost best.

"But I have never applied for the Ryder Cup captaincy and I won't be applying for the job 2010.

"I feel whoever the candidates are for 2010, they should not really be under consideration until September/October 2008, the week after the matches finish."