I'm a real outsider - Monty

Colin Montgomerie today came closer than ever before to writing off his chances of winning the US Open.

After missing a second successive cut in Europe for the first time since 1998, Montgomerie was told he is a 100/1 shot for next week’s major at Olympia Fields near Chicago.

Twice a runner-up in the event and once third Montgomerie said: “That’s about fair now, I’m afraid.

“I hate to say it, but whether I have enough time to turn it around before next week I’m not sure.”

Little more than two weeks away from his 40th birthday, the Ryder Cup star did not have a single birdie as he crashed to a 75 and four over par total of 148.

“I’m not playing well right now – just not striking the ball properly,” he added.

“It’s not really very good, but I’ll practise this weekend now and try to get something going. I haven’t got my length and the putting has been disappointing this year to be honest. That’s the big thing.

“Of course there are quick turnarounds and it’s a mental thing more than anything. You get into a frame (of mind) when you think you can do something and it doesn’t happen. We’ll see. Never mind. Not to worry.”

At least Montgomerie, who entered the event late after missing the cut at last week’s Wales Open, is not facing a fine for the first round incident when he angrily pointed his club at press photographers and said they were “amateurs.”

Tournament director Miguel Vidaor said today: “I don’t think it’s a fineable offence. We were made aware of what happened and spoke to the marshals, who said that Colin was polite.

“Apparently the photographers were close and the problem was that Colin was in a ditch and not sure which direction he was going to play his next shot.”

After his heroics in the Ryder Cup win last September it has not been a season to remember so far for the Scot.

He began it in America, but missed five halfway cuts out of six and also suffered a first round exit in the Accenture world match play championship.