Monty's secret Ace

Dubai: US Ryder Cup veteran Tom Watson feels long-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros' inclusion in the European team will give Colin Montgomerie's team a competitive edge at the tournament that will be held at Celtic Manor, Wales, in October.

Watson should know best — after all, the American won four of the five Ryder Cups he was part of.

As a player, Watson was victorious thrice — 1977, 1981 and 1983 — and as captain he led Team USA to a successful defence of the title in 1993.

A winner of eight Major championships, the 60-year-old is currently playing in his first Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which enters its third day at Emirates Golf Club today.

Watson and Quiros played the first two rounds in the same group. While the American is on one-under-143 after Day Two courtesy of yesterday's two-under-70 score, Quiros has got himself into contention and is currently tied second on six-under-138.

Watson was happy with what he'd seen of Quiros so far and feels Europe have an ace up their sleeve in the form of the towering 27-year-old.

Passionate

"He has passion, he has passion. I like to see that in people. He wants to be on the Ryder Cup team and certainly, that is an advantage — hitting the ball that long. It has always been and always will be," said Watson.

He, however, advised Quiros to exercise caution and not play too many risky shots around the course.

"He takes a little bit more risk than I would be taking if I were him. There are certain holes that I would not be taking the driver out if I were him. It causes some problems, maybe the shorter holes where he feels like he has to drive it up by the green," he said.

"I would advise him maybe to lay-up a couple of holes there. But he has a very good golf swing and has a good short iron game. He's a very good pitcher of the ball and has great touch around the greens."

Watson registered five birdies and three bogeys during yesterday's eventful round. He picked up shots on the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 14th and 18th, but bogeyed the 5th, 9th and 17th.

Speaking of his round, Watson said: "I hit the ball in the fairway better so it was a little bit easier. The conditions were easier yesterday. The key for me is to put the ball in the fairway and I didn't make too many mistakes with the putter."

"My iron game wasn't particularly good, but my driving was so it kind of evened out. All in all, a pretty good round."