He’s fallen out with galleries, players and pundits. He’s promised us the world and fluffed his delivery. And, despite himself, he’s been a bit of a pompous twit at times.
And yet, and yet. For me, there will only be one player I truly want to win the US Open – the one player in the field who, you suspect, could play for another 100 years an never win it.
Step forward Colin Montgomerie. For well over a decade now I have shared the exhilarating highs and the colossal lows of Monty’s careers. Being slightly rotund, with bad hair and a penchant for woollen pullovers, I suppose it was inevitable that I would be called “Monty†at school. But there are more important reasons for willing him to win that elusive major.
Patriotism, for sure, plays a part: one of the two most gifted Scottish golfers of the last 50 years Monty has led the line for Scotland. As a nation we have won three majors since 1985. Sandy Lyle could have won more. Paul Lawrie grasped what is likely to be his only chance. And Monty? Well, he’s been standing at the door banging like mad but, somehow, he’s never been asked into the party.
He’s been immense in the Ryder Cup, dominated European like nobody else has ever managed and demonstrated a consistency that few others in world golf have matched. But, and with Mr Montgomerie there always has to be a ‘but’, the CV is incomplete. When future generations look at the roster of major winners there will be no mention of C Montgomerie (Scotland).
And that is as much of a tragedy for Scottish, British and European golf as it is for the man himself. Make no mistake, with his natural and inimitable swing, his innate sense of course management and his sheer determination as a competitor Monty should be regarded as one of the greats. That he has not yet won a major will, sadly, always detract from his legacy.
Perhaps it could have been different. Maybe a win early in his career would have opened the floodgates. If only he’d grasped a chance as he was starting out the massive psychological pressure that marked his later chase for a major would never have held him back.
But when they come to write the book about Monty’s majors the title will be “Perhaps, Maybe, If Only.†He’s been beaten by players who have played better on the day, he’s beaten himself with poor shots at crucial points and, perhaps, mentally and he’s been beaten by sheer bad luck. But the fact remains: he’s been beaten by the majors.
And now time is running out. He’s talking two or three Ryder Cups into the future. But nobody lasts forever. He’s not playing well, he’s sacked his caddy (always a bad, bad sign in a man that, like Monty, craves stability) and the memories of last years 72nd hole collapse loom large.
But wounded animals and all that. Maybe, just maybe, the big man has one big push left. Fingers crossed Monty. Win it for me, win it for Scotland. But most of all, win it for you!
Andy as an ex-patriot from the Old Country having emigrated to the U.S. some 40 years ago I was an avid fan of Colin Montgomery for many years. This ended in 1995 at the PGA championship practice round at Sahalee Golf Country Club in Seattle WA. I had my 4 year old grandson with me who was fortunate enough to get many of the top players autographs on his golf hat after they finished, however Colin decided to not only reject to sign but actually totally ignored us. We were talking with Colins manager, a lady from as I remember Edinburgh outside the clubhouse as Colin finished 18, he actually approached us to talk to her, she mentioned to Colin that I was an ex-pat from Scotland. He acknowledged me with a “hi” but when grandson offered his cap and pen for his autograph, Colin totally ignored him and promptly strode off in his granduer march. Now remember this was a 4 year old kid at a practice round. That did it for me and Colin! As a side note Tom Lehman not only signed but put my granson on his shoulder and carried him for a few paces telling him he had a son at home just like him. What a difference.
Incidentally Colin has just finished his first round at Oakmont with a 76 (+6) so I don’t think he will be adding a U.S. Open title this year.