With the US Open coming up, Bag Chatter casts its eye over one of the most successful European golfers yet to win a major, Colin Montgomerie.
Since turning professional in 1988, ‘Monty’ became one of the most dominating forces on the European Tour winning the Order of Merit 7 times in succession from 1993-1999. Personal problems saw his form dip over the following years until 2005 when a rejuvenated Montgomerie surprised many critics and won the Order of Merit for a record 8th time.
Compared to these successes, the lack of a major victory is a noticeable absence. During the mid to late Nineties, Montgomerie was a regular figure near the top of the leader-board at majors where his trademark booming fade would split the tightest of fairways with pinpoint accuracy and allowed him to attack pins that others could not dare to.
With the emphasis on precision off the tee and minimising mistakes on what is traditionally the toughest course professional golfers play, The US Open is the major most suited to his game and has finished in the top 3 there 4 times in his career but his inability to convert high finishes into a victory have meant that he has been labelled one of the most talented players never to have won a major.
Following on from a third in 1992, he lost a play-off to Ernie Els in 1994 and then lost out to Els again in 1997, this time in regulation play. Montgomerie shot back to prominence in 2006 when he was back amongst it, fighting with Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy for the lead. Apparently forgotten in the blaze of attention that followed Mickelson’s collapse at the last and Ogilvy’s gutsy chipping, few seem to remember how close he was to lifting the US Open Trophy. Only needing a par on 18 and having split the fairway with a perfect drive, he was left with an approach shot straight onto the green. Caught between a 6 iron and a 7 iron, he choose the latter relying on adrenalin to make up the extra yards. Hitting pretty much his only imperfect shot of the day, he ended up short-sided in the thick ball-eating rough that the US Open is known for and a double bogey was the result and a victory for Ogilvy.
While some took this as evidence that the Scot can’t close the deal when the pressure is on, often it has been a combination of bad luck and inspired play from his opponents as much as it has been bad play just at the worst time
Often unfairly the target of barracking from the crowds, Montgomerie has always been perceived as being more sensitive than most pros to heckling. In fact, with his awareness of outside movement and noise some wit once claimed that when he turned professional, golf marshalling lost one of their most talented members.
The fact is that the roll call of his victories and his extraordinary Ryder Cup record shows that he is a talented and determined golfer who knows what it takes to win and win in difficult circumstances. That he has slipped to 102 in the world shows that all is not right with his game but there is too much fight in him to go down without trying.
Standing in his way this year are a whole host of golf’s goliaths – the resurgent Adam Scott – newly moved to number 3 in the world, a refocused Sergio Garcia – back to his best with victory at the Players Championships, a re-energised Phil Mickelson – with multiple wins already this year, and a rehabilitating Tiger Woods – who’s playing record indicates that he owns Torrey Pines. None of these men are going to meekly step aside to allow Montgomerie his day in the sun.
With the years creeping up on him and seemingly still searching for the right equipment, time looks to have run out for him but his supporters will be wishing him the best and hoping that this will be the time that wins the major that he so richly deserves
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Dozier
Jun 11, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I always enjoy an article on Monty. I have certainly warmed to Monty over the years. This was not hard to do since I started all the way to the frigid side. I don’t know what it was that turned me around on Colin, but now I love him. It was right around 2005 when his game was coming back around and maybe his attitude and disposition changed and somehow I noticed subconsciously.
I am sad to see his world rankings go so low this year. I am worried he will have to rely on Faldo to select him on to the team this year. Unless he improves, that could be hard to justify even with his history in the event.
I would love to see Monty finish well this weekend. Go Monty!