Golf: Monty gets a raw deal - again

An increased police presence was not enough to stop Colin Montgomerie being subjected to some heckling again at the Players Championship in Florida today.

Way behind his playing partners off the tee at the long 16th his seventh hole of the second round a spectator yelled out: ‘‘Colin, take the head cover off next time.’’

Montgomerie, having already bogeyed his first three holes, promptly hit a three-wood into the lake and with a bogey six put himself in more danger of missing the halfway cut at two over par.

Then, as he was just about to hit his tee shot to the island green 17th, there was another yell from the gallery and he had to step back and refocus.

Other spectators turned to try to identify the culprit and gave the Scot a round of applause when he found the putting surface and made his par three.

After being heckled in California last month Montgomerie said he was ready to pull out of all American tournaments after this season.

But he changed his mind after receiving messages of support from fans, fellow players and officials and until today’s incidents had praised the reception he was given this week.

Other than staring himself into the crowd when the shouts came Montgomerie did not react.

He had enough on his hands with the demands of the Sawgrass course and with nine holes to play needed his full powers of concentrate to stay alive in the event.