Monty misses cut as Tadini leads in Wales
Colin Montgomerie missed his first cut of the season at the Wales Open as the controversy over his incorrect drop in the Indonesian Open took its toll.
Montgomerie admitted he was physically and emotionally drained by his tough schedule and the lingering controversy over the incident in Jakarta in March.
“It’s possibly one tournament too many but I was committed to play here,” Montgomerie said after his opening 71, and worse was to come in today’s second round.
The former European number one carded three birdies but the same number of bogeys and double bogeys over the Roman Road course to slump to a 75 and eight over par half-way total.
That was an incredible 18 shots off the pace being set by Italy’s Alessandro Tadini. The Challenge Tour graduate shot a 62 to close 11 under par, two shots clear of England's David Lynn.
Paul McGinley is best of the Irish on level par, with Peter Lawrie one shot further back. Damien McGrane shot at two over 72 today while Stephen Browne finished six over after a 73.
Montgomerie travelled to Singapore, Australia, Dubai, China, Indonesia, the United States and back to China in the hunt for enough points to climb back into the world’s top 50.
And after eventually achieving that goal in last week’s BMW Championship at Wentworth, the 41-year-old admitted he was looking forward to a few days off before travelling to Pinehurst for the US Open.
“I’m very tired but I’ve got nine days off now and I’m looking forward to that,” Montgomerie said. “I’m hitting the ball okay but I just didn’t score very well. If you’re not on your game this course is not easy.”
Surprise leader Tadini held a four-shot lead over the field after picking up six birdies in his first 12 holes today, Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam his closest challenger until a bogey on the last dropped him back into a share of second.
Woosnam had to settle for a second round 68 and six under half-way total of 132 as he chases his first strokeplay title since 1997.
The 47-year-old will lead the European side at the K Club next year but is still keen to play competitive golf and was beginning to “see the light at the end of the tunnel,” after recent swing changes.
“I think people realise I have responsibilities to the Ryder Cup and don’t expect me to play well,” he said.
“I’ve got four months until qualification starts and I will try to play some good golf. Even when it starts I’ll try to get Ryder Cup things done on Tuesday and Wednesday and then play the tournament.”
