Monty takes time out after Open nightmare

COLIN MONTGOMERIE took time out from starting a holiday yesterday to reflect on where his career is going.

An Open championship that promised to be one to remember forever when he broke the Muirfield record with a 64 on Friday became one to forget as quickly as possible when he then slumped to a third-round 84. But it is the treatment he receives from critics that had Montgomerie in a fury yesterday and threatening not to defend the one title he holds next week.

"I've pulled out of tournaments for the next two weeks. I can't handle it any more," were his final words before leaving Muirfield.