An opening one over par 71 on the Old Course left the 47-year-old Scot knowing he needed “something like” his record-equalling 62 on the New last year to be among the 10 who made it through.

But this time he could manage only a five over 74 – and other routes into what would be his 22nd consecutive Open at Sandwich next month are fast running out.

A top-five finish at either the French or Scottish Opens could do it and there are also two spots available through a mini-money list on the European Tour which continues at this week’s Italian Open.

The man who has had five runners-up finishes in majors – a record for someone who has never won one – said: “It’s disappointing, so I’ll go to Italy and try again.

“I will be trying everything – as always.”

Montgomerie was actually one under for his afternoon round with six to play, but then bogeyed the 13th and 14th and double-bogeyed the next two to fall to 77th and last place at that point on six over.

Last Friday he exited Celtic Manor on 15 over, his 147th place out of 152 being his worst ever in Europe.