Montgomerie takes charge
Colin Montgomerie put controversy behind him to take the lead in the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters at the Forest of Arden today.
The 41-year-old, who has come under fire from fellow players unhappy about his replacing of a ball during the Indonesian Open in March, went to the turn in a three under par 33 to lead Paul Broadhurst, Pierre Fulke and Jose-Filipe Lima by one.
There has been no punishment imposed for what happened, but the tournament committee – of which he is a member – on Tuesday evening expressed “dissatisfaction” with the Ryder Cup star, who last Friday said he was donating his £24,000 (€35,100) prize money for fourth place to the tsunami appeal after seeing the video of the incident.
The European tour’s chief referee John Paramor said that while it is accepted that Montgomerie acted inadvertently he would have been penalised two shots if it had come to light at the time – or disqualified if he had already signed his scorecard.
Montgomerie, twice a winner at the Forest of Arden and desperate to climb from his current 54th position in the world into the top 50 by the end of the month to avoid having to qualify for next month’s US Open, was paired today with two more of last September’s European heroes in Detroit, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
Not for the first time Poulter caught the eye for what he was wearing.
After a Union Jack at the Open and Stars and Stripes at the US PGA the 29-year-old was in all white – with one leg of his trousers bearing the red English cross of St George.
It must have brought back horrible memories for Montgomerie, who 13 years ago wore a jumper bearing the Scottish flag for the final round of the Scottish Open and then suffered one of his most disappointing defeats when Australian Peter O’Malley played the final five holes in an incredible seven under par.
The seven-time European number one has never worn the jumper again.
Poulter’s outfit did not inspire him either as he bogeyed four of the first six holes, although he did then come back with birdies at the 17th and 18th.
Westwood also turned in a disappointing two over 38, leaving them five adrift of Montgomerie, who had opened with a 10-foot putt, two-putted the long 12th and then made another four on the 516-yard 17th.
There was a joke shared between Montgomerie and Westwood on the 11th.
The English golfer pushed his drive into the rough and, with Poulter over the other side in sand, Westwood asked Montgomerie to judge whose turn it was to play.
“Sure, I’m good on the rules,” he replied with a smile.
