Monty: Garcia has what it takes

Sergio Garcia is confident of success in Atlanta

Sergio Garcia has the talent and confidence to claim his first major at the USPGA Championship, according to Colin Montgomerie.

That was the Scot's verdict after practising with Garcia and the South African pair Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

"He was giving us tips - all over the place, from the first hole on," said the 38-year-old.

(Garcia) is playing very, very well right now

  Colin Montgomerie

"And the scary thing was that they were actually very good tips. Things that we didn't know.

"Ernie and I looked at each other on the second tee and thought 'this is different'.

"I would have thought 'what a cheeky little blighter' if I didn't think he was any good.

"But he is - he is a great talent and has a fantastic future ahead of him."

And Montgomerie is confident the Spaniard will be back in Europe's Ryder Cup squad as the winner of the season's final Major.

"I think Sam Torrance is at home hoping that Sergio (20th in the current table) and Jesper Parnevik (40th) can do themselves justice here to save having to pick them, which seems the obvious choice right now," he said.

"I wasn't that confident at 21.

Monty is focused on the task at hand

"But he's playing very, very well right now and he does truly believe he can finish in the top three, two or one to clinch his berth in the Ryder Cup team.

"That would give us a great boost."

Meanwhile, Montgomerie is keen to focus on the positives after his disappointment at The Open last month.

He won his next tournament, however, the Scandinavian Masters in Sweden.

"That's a change for me - possibly in years gone by I would have left the Open with different feelings," said Montgomerie.

"It's working well and long may it continue, but it's quite difficult to come off after a 75 or 76 and think positive about the thing."