Monty claims Open place
Colin Montgomerie at last won a play-off in a major today – but this time it was simply to qualify for the Open at Royal Troon next month.
Montgomerie came through at the second extra hole after being involved in a 12-man shoot-out for six spots at the international qualifying competition at Sunningdale.
With 17 places available from the star-studded 120-man field, they all tied for 12th position on the six-under-par total of 137, three behind winners Paul Broadhurst, Mark Foster and Nicolas Colsaerts. Ryder Cup match-winner Paul McGinley was another who made it.
The 41-year-old Scot, in the throes of a divorce, said after a great up and down from rough beside the green: “It’s the first decent thing that has happened to me for a while.
“I set off in horrendous fashion, two over for the first four holes knowing I would probably need seven or eight under. But I’m fine now I’m through, even though it’s through the back door.
“It was a tough day.” He was upset earlier after spotting what appeared to be a face in the crowd he did not want to see.
“That was horrible,” he later commented.
“Now I should have a realistic chance – I know every blade of grass there.” Royal Troon is his home club.
“After missing the US Open (it was the first major he missed since 1991) I didn’t want to miss the British Open as well.”
