Monty backs out

Colin Montgomerie pulled out of yet another tournament today complaining of back trouble.

A month before the Ryder Cup, Montgomerie withdrew after nine holes of his second round in the NEC world championship at Sahalee Country Club in Seattle.

He was four over par and joint 66th of the 78 players at the time.

“I’m very disappointed,” said the 39-year-old Scot. “It’s a real pity because I was looking forward to coming here and competing.

“My back has been causing problems all week and if you compete with others who are physically fit then there is no point carrying on.

“I’m now in the process of trying to get a flight home and I will take stock of the situation after that.”

Montgomerie scratched from the English Open at the Forest of Arden in June last year when back trouble flared and then pulled out of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth at the start of this season.