Monty’s dream of 14th Masters doomed

COLIN MONTGOMERIE’S dream of playing in a 14th successive Masters is doomed after officials at Augusta failed to offer him a special invitation for the first major of the year.

Invitations went instead to US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, Australia’s Craig Parry, South African Tim Clark, Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and American Joe Ogilvie. Forty-one-year-old Monty did not manage to qualify by right after failing to win back his place in the world’s top 50 ahead of Monday’s cut-off date.

Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam last night said it was “a shame” that Monty has not been handed a special invite. “He’s been one of the great golfers over the last 15 years and it’s a shame,” said Woosnam, who as the 1991 Masters champion is exempt for life like Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle.

“It’s a pity he’s not got it - I think he’s played good enough to deserve an invitation.”

Montgomerie, the seven-time European number one and last year’s Ryder Cup hero, who has not missed the event since 1991, has travelled the globe this season trying to climb back into the world’s top 50 and earn an exempt spot.

The 41-year-old Scot has been to Singapore, Australia, America, Dubai, China and Indonesia, but even with finishes of second, 11th, fifth, fourth, sixth and fourth he still finds himself 54th in the rankings.

He had his best-ever round in the States with a 64 at the Nissan Open in February and on Sunday a career-low 60. But still the powers-that-be at Augusta have not been sufficiently impressed.

“It just shows how much he’s dedicated to try to get back in there,” added Woosnam. “He wants to get back in the top 50 and even higher so that he can give himself the best chance of getting in the Ryder Cup. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be relying on a wild-card pick (as happened last year). Personally, I hope he wins a tournament soon. He’s only just missed out, but hopefully, he’ll be back in the other three majors. The cream will rise to the top.”

The one invitation issued so far has gone to Japanese money list leader Shingo Katayama. Last year it went to China’s Zhang Lian-Wei and many saw that as a commercial rather than golfing decision.

“It’s the best golf I have ever played, even back to the mid-1990s,” commented Montgomerie of his recent run. “Unfortunately, I might have three weeks off now, but if it’s not enough (to qualify for the Masters) I just keep going.”

Some will say it is an error to ignore the claims of the seven-time European number one, although the Augusta committee could argue he is not a major winner; he only squeezed into the Ryder Cup team as a captain’s pick and at 54 in the world is not worthy of a place.

However, Graeme McDowell, ranked 39, will be in Augusta after the Masters organisers confirmed his appearance.

The 25-year-old broke into the world’s top 50 for the first time when he finished second in the Bay Hill Invitational in Florida and joint 40th at the Players Championship, which finished on Monday, cemented his place.

“The Masters is a dream come true. I’ve watched that tournament since I was a boy,” said McDowell. “For me it’s the pinnacle of the golf world really - it’s the golf tournament.”

Masters officials announced 101 players had been invited but they expect nine ageing former champions to decline. Four-times champion Arnold Palmer will attend but not play while six-times winner Jack Nicklaus could be absent following the recent death of his 17-month-old grandson.