No more Mr Grumpy claims Montgomerie

Colin Montgomerie has promised to shed his grumpy image and play golf with a smile on his face thanks to his new caddie.

Montgomerie has employed Steve Rawlinson to carry his bag, starting with the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open which began today.

And although Rawlinson’s former boss, Australian Stephen Leaney, was none too pleased at losing his caddie just before the start of last week’s Volvo PGA Championship, Montgomerie could not be happier.

And Montgomerie identified "a little joke at the right time" as the key to maintaining a positive demeanour on the course.

“He is a real character, I think you will see me smiling a lot more on the golf course because he is funny,” Montgomerie said.

“He’s also a very good caddie who’s been out here for 12 years and has served his apprenticeship, but keeping me in the right frame of mind is more important than knowing a golf course. I know where not to go.”