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SAINT QUENTIN, France, July 1 (Reuters) – European Ryder
Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has passed himself fit to play in
Thursday’s French Open first round.

Promising Italian teenager Matteo Manassero will also tee
up after suffering a scare when hit by a stray golf ball.

Montgomerie has calf muscle and Achilles tendon damage and
the 47-year-old Briton will rely on painkilling injections to
play.

The Scot is also fighting to be fit for next week’s
Scottish Open and the following week’s British Open at St
Andrews where he hopes to make his 21st consecutive appearance
in the major.

Manassero was struck on the left hand by a ball while
practising at this week’s host National club.

However, the 17-year-old awoke to find swelling and pain in
the injury had lessened enough for him to play.

Wednesday’s other pro-am casualties, Britons Lee Westwood
and Ian Poulter, were set to tee off later on Thursday.

World number three Westwood will decide whether to play
after swelling on his calf and ankle, at first thought to be a
blood clot, had reduced considerably.

Poulter, suffering a reaction from an insect sting, was to
make a late decision.

(Editing by Alastair Himmer; To query or comment on this
story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)