Monty putt out by poor show on greens

There was no mention of not playing in the Ryder Cup by Colin Montgomerie today. But plenty of mentions of poor putting.

A level par 72 containing 35 putts was not the start Montgomerie was hoping for in the American Express world championship at Mount Juliet, but he then cast his mind back three years to the week before the last Ryder Cup.

“I putted horribly at the Lancome Trophy, then the best of my career at Brookline,” he commented optimistically.

“The Ryder Cup is more mental than physical because of all the demands and the pressure involved.

“But you can’t compete having 35 putts. I didn’t have the pace or the line and it was difficult to have any confidence. I played much better than 72.

“I was putting so well at the start of the year, but it’s a confidence thing.”

As for the state of his back, which was the reason he voiced doubts on Sunday about whether he would even be at The Belfry next week, Montgomerie stated: “It’s fine. Enough’s been said about it. Let’s talk about golf, if you don’t mind.”