‘Big Easy’ is backing Monty

ERNIE ELS, having hurt himself hitting a punchbag in March, was not looking to pick a fight with anybody at Wentworth yesterday.

So when Colin Montgomerie claimed he should be the one to beat in the Volvo PGA championship starting tomorrow the world number two did not choose to disagree, even if the bookmakers do.

Nor did Els criticise Annika Sorenstam's appearance on the US Tour, nor did he ask for the European tour to come down heavily on Seve Ballesteros and nor did he slam current Order of Merit leader Pádraig Harrington for staying away.