IN WHAT will have been music to the ears of the powers that be at their Wentworth headquarters, Colin Montgomerie committed himself yesterday to the European Tour until the end of his career.
A number of Europe’s leading golfers might be tempted to play more in the United States from 2007 — after the announcement of a revamped schedule for the US tour that culminates in a mini-series of four events, the last one of which will carry a first prize of up to $10 million (about £5.7 million) — but Montgomerie has no intention of following suit.
Speaking on the eve of the Johnnie Walker Classic here, the European Order of Merit champion said that he had not considered increasing his playing schedule in the US and was confident of remaining near the top of the world rankings (he is No 12) by continuing to play the vast majority of tournaments on his side of the Atlantic.
“I play my best golf when I am comfortable in an environment and where I belong, among my peers,” Montgomerie said. “I look forward to supporting the European Tour for however many years I have (left) playing at this level.”
The bigger the tournament, the greater the number of world-ranking points will be on offer. After climbing from No 83 in the world to No 9 between the start and end of 2005, the Scot is aware of the importance of staying in the top 50, to guarantee entry into the major championships and World Golf Championship events. He will not, however, change his routine to chase points.
Advertisement
“The reason I missed out last year on the (Accenture) World Match Play, the TPC (Players Championship) and the Masters was because I wasn’t in the top 50. Now I’m well in that and, hopefully, will stay there until my career comes to an end,” he said.
Montgomerie has arrived here on the back of a missed cut last week at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he turned up on the eve of the event after finalising his divorce the day before. “I wasn’t prepared the way I normally am,” he said. “But I have put that one big week behind me and feel confident again.
“Missing the cut is never a good thing for any of us at any level, but especially for me. However, I spent two days practising as hard as I have for years and it worked out fine.”
Ian Poulter continues to market himself well. Without a clothing contract at present, the Englishman is making himself available to tournament sponsors on a one-off basis. Which is why he is to be seen with Johnnie Walker’s walking man adorning his trouser leg this week, with different colours planned for each day to represent the brand’s whiskies.
“I contacted Johnnie Walker a couple of weeks back to see if they’d be interested,” Poulter said. “And they went for it straight away. I’m just testing the water this week. Who knows where it might lead?”
Advertisement
The field here boasts four players from the world’s top 20, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, Montgomerie and Michael Campbell. Robert Allenby, the Australian, won three events in three weeks before Christmas — the Australian Open, PGA Championship and Masters — and hopes for a fourth.
LINKS
TELEVISION: Live, Sky Sports 1, 6am-10am; highlights, Sky Sports 2, 5pm-8pm