Colin Montgomerie is confident European will retain the Ryder Cup without him, with Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood leading them on the course in his absence.

Monty has been the European talisman for a number of years now with the 45-year-old Scot unbeaten in singles in eight Ryder Cups and with an excellent overall record.

In fact, only current captain Nick Faldo has more Ryder Cup points but experience was not enough and this time Montgomerie has been left out of the team that will travel to Kentucy to tackle the Americans.

Monty insists Europe will still do the job without him though, and says that Westwood and Harrington now have to step-up and assume the senior role that he has occupied for years.

"I had that role a couple of times and I'm looking to the pairing of Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood for that now," said Montgomerie.

"They are playing right now the best golf of any European and in fact in the world.

"And they have good Ryder Cup experience. They have both played four or five each already so it is their turn to step up.

"Padraig Harrington, having won the last two majors, is playing as well as anybody worldwide right now so he and Lee Westwood I would expect to be the on-course leaders."

Montgomerie was left out by Faldo in favour of Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, whose selection has caused the biggest talking point.

Although he would love to be at Valhalla, Montgomerie will be an avid viewer back home and is ultra confident of a third straight European success.

"I will be watching it. I am a keen supporter of the European Tour and European golf and I will be watching and hoping for a similar result to the last two," he added.

"It will be close but Europe will win and I look forward to that happening."

"It was disappointing not to have been chosen having played for 18 years but at the same time it gives me added incentive to make it the next time in 2010.

"I don't believe I have played my last Ryder Cup match or have written my last chapter in the book of the Ryder Cup."

Darren Clarke was another absentee from the team after his heroics at the K Club two years ago, but Montgomerie says that it just shows the depth of talent at Faldo's disposal.

"That's the beauty of it," he continued.

"To be able to leave out the likes of Darren Clarke and Carl Pettersson means our team is as strong as ever and so strong that it will be a winning team."