Montgomerie buries hatchet with Lyle

RYDER CUP skipper Colin Montgomerie has buried the hatchet with Sandy Lyle after the “cheat” slur that sparked a wealth of controversy at last month’s Open.

The pair bumped into each other at Hazeltine National yesterday where Montgomerie is competing in his 18th US PGA, thanks to an invitation the PGA of America traditionally extends to the current Ryder Cup captains.

“I didn’t realise that Sandy was coming over here to commentate for our British Sky Television for the tournament,” Montgomerie said. “And I had just managed to speak to Sandy just before we came in here, which was good.

“I can’t, unfortunately, say what was said. But that matter is now closed and I personally thought it was closed four and a half years ago.” Smiling broadly, he added: “It is now, believe me.”

What that smile meant, only Lyle and Montgomerie know.

As it is, the 2010 Ryder Cup skipper is here, not only to compete, but to keep an eye on the potential Ryder Cup players he expects to figure prominently on the leaderboard.

“We have 31 players here and I expect to have four or five in the top 10 this week. We have a fantastic wealth of talent in Europe now, more than I’ve ever witnessed in my 22 years.

“The one name that springs to mind who is playing as well as anyone and should probably have been in that playoff at least to the British Open is Lee Westwood.

“Pádraig Harrington, I’m glad, is showing signs of his great form at the end of last year, as well. So there’s two names, and we just hope that Paul Casey is fit enough to compete, because obviously he is a real contender here.”

Casey will decide on his fitness this morning, but whoever wins, Montgomerie fully expects to see some Europeans in the shake-up for the title on Sunday.

Addressing the British drought in the US Open (Tony Jacklin won in 1970) and the USPGA, Montgomerie was tempted to claim Pádraig Harrington for the British cause.

“We almost classify Pádraig Harrington as a Brit,” he said with a chuckle. “We’ll take him on this one.

“But at the same time, it has been a difficult one for us over the years.

“But I do feel now that it’s about time that changed, and I’m expecting bigger and better things from our top players.”