Calculators at the ready at Valderrama
The calculators could be out at Valderrama on Sunday – not only to see if Colin Montgomerie has won an unprecedented eighth European Order of Merit title, but also to work out if he won it because of “Jakartagate”.
Montgomerie’s incorrect replacing of his ball during the Indonesia Open in March caused the biggest controversy of the Scot’s career and when he watched a video of the incident later he gave his £24,072 (€35,400) prize money to charity.
“From a professional and personal perspective I was not comfortable with what I saw and feel that I may have replaced the ball inaccurately, albeit unwittingly,” he said.
“The respect of my peers and the rules of the game are extremely important to me. I am obviously upset that I could have inadvertently caused my colleagues to question me.”
Many did, of course, and the players’ committee of which he is a member also voiced their unhappiness with his actions.
But although the winnings went to the tour’s tsunami appeal fund, they stayed on his Order of Merit earnings.
The world ranking points he picked up for finishing joint fourth also remained - and because of them he qualified for the US Open in June.
Now the money list title could be decided by less than that £24,072 (€35,400) as well.
Montgomerie leads Michael Campbell by just under £105,000 (€154,600) and the New Zealander has to finish in the top five of the Volvo Masters just to have a chance.
If he wins the tournament he wins the Order of Merit, and if he is second then Montgomerie will have to tie with him to remain top.
But should Campbell be third, fourth or fifth then it could be very, very close. Montgomerie would have to be eighth, 22nd or 54th respectively.
If the Indonesia money had not counted that would become sixth, ninth or 19th.
Not surprisingly, Montgomerie has been wanting ever since it happened to put the matter behind him and move on.
