The DA

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has used a wildcard slot to call up Emile Heskey for the Celtic Manor tournament due to begin in October. Heskey, who has no handicap, experience or golf clubs is seen by some as a big gamble but Montgomerie is adamant that Hesky can do a job for the Europeans even if he’s not quite match fit, or in fact, any good at golf at all.

‘He’s a big lad and he should provide great support for Lee Westwood. He’s never been a putter and his drive is sometimes so wild that residents living as far as 5 miles away from the course have claimed for smashed windows, but Emile’s got a presence about him, and ask anyone, they like having him around. Just the other day Rory McIlroy was sat in the club with him as Hesky reenacted some of his greatest ever goals and I’ve never seen the kid laugh so much in all his life. He was relaxed, and ready to play some golf.’

The Aston Villa striker Heskey will have to play a bit of a balancing act this Autumn with not only golfing and football commitments, but also it seems, Formula One racing plans. After Jenson Button’s crash yesterday in Belgium the Mclaren team see him as the perfect partner for Lewis Hamilton’s championship bid. A Mclaren spokesman added ‘we don’t expect Emile to race, but we’re going to put him in a little side car to cheer on Lewis round the track. Lewis will really appreciate that.’

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