Newsflash From The City: Monty and Faldo Still Can't Stand Each Other

Preferring to keep the matter a public spectacle, Monty penned a Telegraph column where he not only stirs the pot, but also reveals how to gain 20 yards without lifting a weight or injecting your rump with steroids. Hint: buy Yonex!

First, here's where he makes clear that Nick Faldo's Christmas card has not arrived yet...in the lead to the column no less:

Since Marc Warren and I won the World Cup for Scotland at the weekend, I've had one or two people ask whether Nick Faldo would have been taking note of what happened in China. As next year's Ryder Cup captain, he would almost certainly have been looking at the progress of all of the European players, especially since this was a team tournament. I know that if I was the captain, I would have been riveted by events at Mission Hills.

As is well known, Nick and I had a difference of opinion as to whether I was a good team member in the Seve Trophy a couple of months ago. When people pitched in to say what I would have said myself - that my commitment in a team situation has never been less than 100 per cent - I was able to stay out of things to a degree.

We haven't been in touch since but I really don't think that matters. We have known each other for years and have a lot of shared history and I am confident that both of us can move on from here without anything being said.

And what better way to make that clear to Nick than in a widely read newspaper column!

But more importantly... 

On the three days we played with South Africa, there were occasions when Retief Goosen, who is one of our longer hitters, was looking at me in mingled astonishment and disbelief.

You know, I could touch that one, but I won't. Not when you get insights like this.

He was staggered that I was not just up with him off the tee but often hitting the shorter iron into the green. In the last round, for example, I hit a six-iron more than 200 yards to pave the way for the eagle at the 15th which put us ahead of the Americans for the first time.

I'm not about to pretend that it's all down to the work I've been doing in the gym.

Car washing? 

The truth is that it's due to the 2008 version of my Yonex clubs. Both with the woods and the irons I'm getting an extra 20 yards.

Wow, check the grooves on those babies!

It really is exciting to be adding yards rather than subtracting them at my age.

So very, very exciting.

"I have always liked Jack Nicklaus, mainly because his designs work well for me as a player. We both hit a high fade, and you can see that this shot is rewarded on courses he designs."

Mandarin Media sent out this not-totally-horrible press release/Q&A with Colin Montgomerie, though I did have to share this with you:

MM: What designers do you most admire, and what about their designs do you value so much?
 
CM: I have always liked Jack Nicklaus, mainly because his designs work well for me as a player. We both hit a high fade, and you can see that this shot is rewarded on courses he designs. What Tom Weiskopf has done at Loch Lomond (in Scotland) is also very impressive to me. Understanding that guys like this are both major champions and accomplished architects allows you to see what they have incorporated into their designs. And of course, I always find TPC at Sawgrass (in Florida) a fantastic challenge. What Pete Dye has done there makes every shot a demanding one, and in reality danger lurks around every corner. There is no letting up.
 
MM: You’ve got a handful of designs under your belt now, and a good dozen more in the works. What kind of comment do you strive to bring forth from those who play your courses? Why?
 
CM: There has always been some debate regarding the value that professional golfers offer when it comes to course design. I think that because we have had the opportunity to play the best courses in the world, with some of the best players in the world, who is better positioned to help design golf holes with great shot values and memorable features? I like to integrate the natural terrain wherever possible, and consider the course not only from the pro’s perspective but also from the perspective of those who are just playing for enjoyment and the love of the game. You will see I select grasses that allow for the best conditioning, because this is important to me. You will see that I like green complexes with options, and often incorporate little chipping and pitching areas around them. And, of course, you can always count on having several fairways receptive to nice high, faded drivers!

At least he's honest about his narcissism. 

“Monty’s a tough one. He was the only one whose emotions I had to deal with.

The all time worst buried lede award may go to John Hopkins for sticking this quote from Nick Faldo at the end of a boring piece on Faldo's "Captain's log."

“Monty’s a tough one,” Faldo said. “He was the only one whose emotions I had to deal with. He only came to two of the five team meetings, so that was disappointing. Then he had to be teased out on to the 18th green to support his team. The bottom line was that he hadn’t won a point. That’s why I sent him out first in the singles. That’s the place to get a point. And he did.”

Update on 2007-10-12 15:20 by Geoff

Bernard Gallacher weighs in and it's now official, we have full on Ryder Cup soap opera a year out!

But Gallacher was damning with his response. He said: "Nick should be more discrete at this stage, especially as the Ryder Cup is next year. He should keep that sort of stuff for his memoirs after the Ryder Cup, rather than saying it now."

But Gallacher, who had Faldo in all his three teams, said: "I never felt Nick was a real team player but I accepted that as a captain because he gave you points.

And...

"He wasn't a player like Seve, in as much as Seve would try and rule the team meetings and be out on the course rooting for the players. Nick always wanted to play with the best players. I went along with that because he was pretty good.

"But sometimes tactically you need to split the best players up. Seve was always up for that but Nick wasn't."

Monty Studying Faldo's Mistakes In Preparation For Own Ryder Cup Captaincy

Wonder if Monty's picking out uniforms for 2010 yet? No, he's not presuming. No, not at all.

Colin Montgomerie has admitted he will learn from the controversy surrounding Paul McGinley's resignation from the Ryder Cup vice-captaincy when his own chance to lead the European team eventually comes round.

Irishman McGinley withdrew from his role as one of European skipper Nick Faldo's right-hand men in the build up to last week's Seve Trophy after declaring his intention is to focus on playing his way into the team for the 2008 clash with the US in Kentucky.

Montgomerie, speaking ahead of Thursday's £2.5million Dunhill Links championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, is being touted as a favourite to land the captaincy role when the biennial joust returns to European soil in 2010.

And the 44-year-old former European Tour number one, a veteran of eight Ryder Cup contests, said: "There are lessons to be learned, yes.

"One of the best selections we've had in the past 10 years was Thomas Bjorn in 2004.

"He didn't make the team a month before the event and was given an assistant captain's role and did a brilliant job.

"That to me is when the vice captains should be selected, when we know the team and when we know that certain experienced Ryder Cup players have maybe missed the team. They can then help the captain at that stage.

"There is little a vice-captain can do at this early stage to be honest. If I was in the captain's role I would hopefully select a Ryder Cup captain a month before the event."

Prepare yourself. This is frightening:

Monty tees-up at Carnoustie in the opening round in company of amateur partner Ray Romano, star of US sitcom 'Something About Raymond' with Faldo and musician, Huey Lewis, making up an intriguing fourball.

Montgomerie, who won the Dunhill Links title in 2005, added: "I started watching 'Something About Raymond' recently and I found it very funny.

"Ray is obviously keen on golf and he's on the PGA Tour's website explaining his love of the game. With Nick and Huey also playing with us, it should be very interesting."

“By partnering with Colin and his brand, we are certain we will achieve that, and give the marketplace something it just hasn’t seen in this country to-date.”

Why satirize when you can just copy and paste...

Montgomerie-designed course taking shape along Central Coast

DA NANG, Viet Nam (25 September 2007) — Course construction is well underway here amid the tropical dunescape of Vietnam’s fastest growing resort destination, where a Colin Montgomerie design will soon stand as the area’s first 18-hole layout.

Located just off famed China Beach and minutes from Da Nang’s international airport, The Montgomerie Links Vietnam has been routed to capitalize on its close proximity to both the warm, tranquil South China Sea and striking Marble Mountains, which are clearly visible from various points on the course.

And where the morning Napalm smells so nice...

All-time European Tour money winner Montgomerie—better known as Monty to his worldwide fan base—has worked with this stunning setting of casuarina pines and scruffy dunes to create what will be a true links experience. The front nine opens for play next summer.

“The land is absolutely spectacular,” said Jeff Puchalski, Vice President of Golf Operations for Danao International Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Indochina Capital, developer of The Montgomerie Links Vietnam. “Hoi An is known for being a UNESCO World Heritage site but what people don’t know is that it has an amazing beachscape, which makes the perfect palette for a links style course. I believe it will give everyone who plays it the feeling of being in Ireland or Scotland—without the cold temperatures you find in the British Isles. It’s got the terrain golf purists dream about.”

It’s also got something very few courses can lay claim to: a pedigree bearing the words “The Montgomerie,” which is verbiage reserved for designs where the site and development partners were personally chosen by Monty himself. Only four other layouts in the world can boast these qualities.

“I am very selective about applying my special design brand,” Montgomerie explained. “Indochina’s The Montgomerie Links Vietnam has a spectacular site and I am proud to be doing my first and only Montgomerie in Vietnam with Indochina Capital.”

My first and only Montgomerie. Talking about ourselves in the third person now. Always a healthy sign.

Indochina Capital is familiar with grandly distinctive projects. In fact, it has already made a splash in the same vicinity, with The Nam Hai, Vietnam’s first super-luxury resort. This collection of 100 freestanding villas on nearby Ha My Beach opened on 1 December 2006 but has rapidly earned a prestigious reputation. Less than a year old, it’s already been recognized by some of the most influential magazines in the world in recent months, including Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler.

“The whole idea with the golf course is to provide an experience that is right in line with The Nam Hai,” said Peter Ryder, CEO of Indochina Capital. “By partnering with Colin and his brand, we are certain we will achieve that, and give the marketplace something it just hasn’t seen in this country to-date.”

A product of Royal Troon in Scotland—a British Open rotation mainstay—Monty has implemented classic, Old World design elements into the Da Nang course, such as rolling, treeless fairways, thick rough,

Oh yeah, that's classical...sorry...

massive greens and tight chipping areas. Among the holes sure to be memorable are Nos. 7 and 13, a pair of par 4s with some of the deepest bunkers on the course.

How novel!

The only departure from tradition comes in the form of several lakes and streams, a must when considering the region’s seasonably high water table.

True true. And so linksy.

“Players will be amazed and, I believe, impressed with how we have routed this collection of holes through an incredibly natural formation of dunes and seaside vegetation,” said Montgomerie. “This is as close as you can get to true links golf in Vietnam. It will be a treat to experience.”

In addition to the course, the development will include 60 sleek residential units, a stylish clubhouse and a comprehensive driving range/practice facility, which is slated to open by the first of the year.

IMG is providing the design team, and managing course construction. IMG, also Montgomerie’s agent, is best known in Vietnam for its designs at Ocean Dunes, Dalat Palace and the newly-opened Tam Dao, just north of Hanoi.

“Until now, no course has been built in Vietnam outside the orbits of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi,” said Ryder. “What golfers are going to find here is a course not to be missed, etched by one of the real legends of the game.”

IMG is a legend of the game?

"Four hours should be the limit to play a round in a three-ball - fine everybody that takes over that."

Monty's complaining about an under-5 hour round! I guess he forgot the PGA Tour would kill for a round that speedy on a Thursday or Friday.  Mark Garrod reports:

After an opening 70 in the Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry that took only ten minutes under five hours, Montgomerie called for a clampdown on slow play.

"It's a problem every week," he said. "Four hours should be the limit to play a round in a three-ball - fine everybody that takes over that. We're given too long to play the course.

"I was brought up on a three-hour game of golf and the pace of play out here is too slow."

The eight-time European No.1 was delighted to hear that two players - England's Gary Lockerbie and Brazilian Alexandre Rocha - had been fined £4000 for taking too long yesterday. But he will be happier still if others get the message and get a move on. And that includes Ryder Cup team-mate Robert Karlsson and English pair Ross Fisher and Edward Rush, who were the three players immediately in front of him again today.

Montgomerie was paired with South African Richard Sterne and Spain's Santiago Luna and commented: "Richard only took 65 and is very quick, Santiago is another quick player and I'm one of the fastest out here.

"So it felt slow. We had a very fast group behind a very slow one!"

Good News! Monty Putting Design Career On Hold To Keep Playing

Yes, he's depriving us of several signature designs, but the game will survive (I hope). From an unbylined Daily Mirror piece where he talks mostly about his divorce and health problems:

"Some people might say: 'You've done well but give it a break and do something else'," he said. "I've got the golf course design company and other bits and bobs away from golf.But golf is who I am. It totally defines me. I still love the competition and I love winning. Don't tell the sponsors but they don't have to pay me because winning means more.

Monty's Ego Swells On Eve Of Open Championship

Mark Garrod reports on our man's big win in the European Open, making him a favorite to be asked for pre-tournament press center visits at Loch Lomond and Carnoustie.

Montgomerie fired a closing 65 to win by one from Swede Niclas Fasth, having started the day in joint seventh place four behind. The Scot's odds for winning the forthcoming Open Championship at Carnoustie have now been cut from 100/1 to 50/1 by William Hill who also offer him at 20/1 to win the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond next week.

Hmm...resistable.

"This is not an important win - it's a very, very important win," he said. "You wonder if it's ever going to happen, of course you do. You have self-doubts and I'm so glad. I'm thrilled with the success.

"I've never made a winner's speech and said I was unlucky and I was fortunate at the last two today."

Monty Fumes For French; Lays Groundwork For 2026 Captaincy

Perhaps sensing that he may be passed up as Ryder Cup captain by more popular anyone with a pulse, Colin Montgomerie lashed out at his fellow Euro Tour mates members for skipping the French Open this week.

Gordon Richardson reports in The Guardian that the merry Scot slyly laid the groundwork for an inevitable showdown with Thomas Levet and Jean Van de Velde over who will be selected to guide the Euros should some wealthy developer come along and blatantly bribe offer to host for a Ryder Cup at France's National Club.

"It's very, very disappointing because this event starts the run up to the Open Championship and it deserves a stronger feel - the National Club is one of the best if not the best we play in Europe and it's certain to stage the Ryder Cup one day.

"There are stadium holes everywhere and a wonderful finish - imagine the carry-ons there would be in match play situations here. Sadly it will probably be 2026 before it can happen, with Sweden and Germany probably coming in first."

Monty Selects Next Caddie To Be Unceremoniously Dumped For No Good Reason

Craig Connolly, the caddie who worked with Paul Casey until the US Open at Oakmont, clearly enjoys punishment.

"That was the first taste I had of his reputation."

Peter Higgs catches up with Monty's temporary Oakmont caddy, Billy Goddard, who reminds us why there is only one Monty!

The veteran caddie, hired to carry Montgomerie’s clubs after the 43-year-old Ryder Cup star sacked long-term bagman Alistair McLean last week, tried to find a kind word to say about his temporary employer.

"He’s a good guy but he just gets mad at himself," said Goddard. "And he got mad at me, absolutely."

On the course where he came close to winning the US Open 13 years ago — and 12 months after he blew his best chance of claiming America’s oldest major — Montgomerie’s second-round score of 12-overpar 82 left him languishing in 127th place and facing an early flight home.

After his round Montgomerie declined to offer an explanation to reporters. But Goddard, the genial local man who had been assigned to carry his bag and guide him around the brutal course, had plenty to say about spending two rounds in the presence of a player renowned as much for his grumpiness as for his undoubted golfing talents.

Even though Goddard is so valued that he has caddied for Jack Nicklaus, he was to learn that Montgomerie can be easily upset by what seem innocuous comments.

After a first-round 76 left him with plenty of ground to make up, Montgomerie was unable to cope with the increasingly difficult demands of Oakmont’s penal rough and slick greens as he tossed shots away like a high handicapper having a bad day.

Montgomerie was so distressed by an incident during the front nine of his second round that he walked over to speak to his girlfriend, Gaynor Knowles, on the 10th fairway and was overheard to say: "It’s such a shame. It’s really upset me. It really, really has."

When Goddard was asked whether he knew what had caused Montgomerie to become so agitated, he admitted being responsible, saying: "On the fourth hole he asked me what the yardage was and I said: 'Lay up or go for it?'. He said: 'I’m going for it'. After he made a bogey on the hole, he said to me: 'You should never have said the words lay up'. After that we hardly talked. That was the first taste I had of his reputation."

Poor lad, having to hear those awful "lay up" words! No one should have to hear such vile language on a golf course, especially from their caddie.

Although Montgomerie rallied to play the next four holes in one under par, including an extraordinary 30-foot birdie putt on the 14th which brought no reaction from the dejected figure, his chances of breaking 80 disappeared with three further dropped shots on the final two holes.

On the 18th his drive landed in such thick rough that he could not see the ball and hacked it only 10 yards forward.

When he launched his third towards the green, a youth yelled ‘Get in the hole’ to be greeted by the coldest stare Montgomerie could muster. As the object of his anger was identified, the spectator turned to the rest of crowd and appealed: ‘I was only trying to encourage him.’

Oh but why? 

Monty Again Ready To Almost Win U.S. Open

James Corrigan tells us way more than we ever wanted to know about Colin Montgomerie's close calls at the U.S. Open.

Monty Does It Again!

Lawrence Donegan reports on Colin Montgomerie's latest architectural triumph.

Colin Montgomerie, who blew his chance of winning his first major championship when he double-bogeyed the 18th hole on the last day of the US Open this summer, has come up with a solution for golfers who have trouble coping with the pressure of playing the last: a course with an extra hole.

And...

Normally they would play the 1st or 18th again to reach a result. At Rowallan they will be able to play what the Scot calls the "money hole".

Key word there: Scots.

And now for the uh, money quote... 

"We just thought, why not? The 19th is the stuff of golfing legend," he said. "It was time to make it a reality. When players finish their round they will be able to come in, have a drink and check their scores. And if there's anything still to settle they can go back out and play the money hole."

These player architects are so innovative! Always on the cutting edge. 

Monty's Press Conference

From Monty's Q&A:

Q. A couple of the guys earlier today talked about the need for creativity and shot making here. I was just curious, the idea of that kind of being a lost art these days, particularly on the PGA TOUR in America.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE: I think it is. I think that is people say this course is dry and it's bouncy and everything, but that is part of golf. The ball does bounce into some places, and you've got to be able to control it and be patient. I think sometimes when you play in America that you hit the ball 157.6 yards and it scoots back 3.2 feet. This isn't like that. It's a more natural game and played on the ground.

And it will be interesting to see artistic shots more than you do possibly in the States. And I'm not saying that's right or wrong, it's just a different form of golf. And we have a different form here, especially with the weather as it is and it's forecast to be the way it is right now.

Monty: It's Vijay's Fault!

Lawrence Donegan reports that Monty and his new sports psychologist have been working on ways to figure out how his U.S. Open finish was someone else's fault:

The double bogey that followed Montgomerie's momentary mental lapse will go down as one of the sadder moments in recent memory, although he has since spent time with his sports psychologist Hugh Mantle and the pair have analysed exactly what went wrong. Part of their discussion focused on the moments before he struck the ball, when he was forced to wait while his playing partner Vijay Singh sought a ruling from officials.

"I'm convinced that, if I was to go up to that ball at my usual pace and hit it, I'd have probably won. But you have to play according to your playing partner and the rules. If I'd been in the tent he would have had to wait on me. It's amazing what runs through the mind at that stage," Montgomerie said.