Sports News And Updates: Monty Steps Out of Line by Questioning Rory McIlroy's Open Preparations

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Monty Steps Out of Line by Questioning Rory McIlroy's Open Preparations

colin montgomerie, open championship, rory mcilroy, us open

Colin Montgomerie is not someone who is afraid to speak his mind, but you do have to question his latest remarks about Rory McIlroy's preparations for the Open.

Monty, it seems, has grown accustomed to his role as commentator and passed his judgement on the Northern Irishman's decision not to play a competitive round of golf in between his success at the US Open and the Open next week.

Montgomerie, who captained McIlroy at the Ryder Cup in October last year, says he feels that McIlroy should have participated in the Scottish Open this week to keep his game - and mind - in good shape.

He told a media briefing: "I can understand two out of three, but I would like to have seen him play a competitive tournament between the two majors.

"He's so natural I don't think there are any fears about his game, but it's the locker room - there are going to be so many people wanting to congratulate him.

"Whether it was the French or the Scottish Open he could have got that out of his system and out of the way so he can start the Open afresh. Now he's got that ahead of him and on the first tee I think he will be mentally tired - but who am I to say?"

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While Monty has been busting a gut to make sure that he qualifies for the Open next week at Royal St George's, since his success in America, McIlroy has been spotted at Wimbledon for the tennis - where he was denied the chance for a knock-up with John McEnroe by All England Club authorities - and went to Hamburg to see boxer Wladimir Klitschko beat David Haye.

Maybe it is worth mentioning at this point that, unlike McIlroy, Montgomerie never won a major. And therefore many will argue that his reasoning holds little weight. After all, how would he knows what the locker room will be like for McIlroy, if he hs never been in the situation himself?

Jack Nicklaus, with 18 major titles to his name, did not see McIlroy's need for a warm-up event. So while Monty may have his own opinions, it is difficult to agree with him on this one.

McIlroy has made no secret of his routine that helps him peak in time for the majors, and perhaps rather strangely, for Monty at least, it involves him taking an extended rest. Maybe, had Montgomerie adopted that approach, he may have won a few majors himself.