Monty rings changes again

Colin Montgomerie, who started the new year with new clubs and a new plan of attack in America, has now decided to make another change.

At next week’s Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open the seven-time European number one will have burly Steve Rawlinson alongside him – not as a minder, but as his caddie.

Montgomerie is with Andy Prodger at this week’s Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth, but has already told him he is dispensing with his services afterwards.

Rawlinson, a trained chef from Sunderland, has been working with Stephen Leaney – and the Australian is not happy at the way he has lost his bag-man.

In comments reminiscent of what Phillip Price said 12 months ago when Prodger left him for Montgomerie, Leaney said: “I had an inkling that Monty wanted my caddie, but it was not until 5.30pm on Wednesday that I heard about it.

“Monty actually called while Steve was telling me, but obviously they had already arranged it before.

“It was unfortunate that I didn’t get to hear about it until the deal was already done.

“I would preferred Monty to have had the courtesy to call and tell me what was going on. Suddenly I’m in the lurch.”

Montgomerie said after his opening 69 at Wentworth – the same score as Leaney produced – that he would apologise if Leaney wanted him to, but did not feel it necessary.

“It’s always difficult, there’s never a good way of dealing with this situation,” he said, while praising Prodger for agreeing to carry his bag in the European tour’s flagship event.

“I felt I did the right thing. I asked my new caddie and then I phoned Steve Leaney and then I contacted Andy. I did the whole thing in the proper order.

“There’s no point in me talking to Stephen Leaney without knowing that the caddie wanted to caddie for me in the first place, so I had to go to the caddie first.

“Let’s not make a big issue here, come on. These things happen, okay. Life goes on.

“I thought I was doing the right thing and if I haven’t I apologise. But at the same time I don’t feel I have to.

“I just wanted a change. It just wasn’t gelling very well (with Prodger). Lovely bloke, Andy, a lovely guy. Nothing personal at all – just professional.

“He did a great thing to caddie for me knowing that this is his last week with me win, lose or draw. I want to win as much for him as I do for myself.”

Prodger, who helped Nick Faldo to two major victories, declined to comment.

Montgomerie’s three-under-par start left him three behind Darren Clarke, who led by one overnight from Scot Alastair Forsyth, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and South African James Kingston.

World number two Ernie Els resumed this morning on three under, while Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal were in the group on four under.

After his round Olazabal was questioned about his former Ryder Cup partner Seve Ballesteros, who was fined and severely reprimanded by the tour on Wednesday night for his Italian Open outburst and then withdrew yesterday morning citing flu symptoms.

“He is not feeling very happy about the whole situation and I don’t blame him at all,” said Olazabal.

When asked his own opinion he added: “I am not saying anything at the moment just in case – I will talk to the people I feel I have to talk to in private.

“I guess that’s how things are supposed to be done on this tour from what I see. I am not 100% happy about the whole situation on this tour myself, but I don’t think this is the right time to talk.

“We are what we are thanks to a lot of people, but I think in particular to Seve. I think nobody can deny that.

“Obviously more players helped to bring the European tour to where it is now, but Seve was the first one that made it possible by all his achievements around the world.

“I think everybody should not forget that.”