Bjorn and Monty square up in Bangkok

An angry Thomas Bjorn and Colin Montgomerie found themselves the centre of attention on and off the course at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok today.

For the second time in three months – in November it was Padraig Harrington and Jose Maria Olazabal – two European Ryder Cup team-mates fell out and went off for “clear-the-air” private talks once they had finished their round together.

Bjorn, still out in front after adding a 68 to his opening 64, wanted tournament director Miguel Vidaor to be present before going behind closed doors with the 40-year-old Scot, who had asked to speak to him.

Half an hour earlier, Bjorn had been distracted by Montgomerie as he prepared to chip onto a green and in the stifling heat, the incident clearly made the Dane hot under the collar.

Afterwards Vidaor said: “They had some differences and they have been resolved. They have shaken hands on it.”

Bjorn did not want to go into details when he then spoke, but insisted there was blame on both sides.

“I know you really want to hear what that was all about, but I’m sorry – this is staying between me and Monty and the European Tour,” he commented.

“I have the utmost respect for Monty and things happen once in a while on a golf course where players that are as competitive as we are have a difference in opinion on some things.

“We are as good friends as we were before we went out and we will always be good friends. But it stays between us.

“I did some things wrong and Colin did some things wrong. You know us well enough that we’ve both got our tempers and we both want to play well.”

The pair have some history, so to speak.

At the Volvo Masters at Valderrama on November 1 last year Montgomerie stormed off a green after missing a putt and as he went – throwing a ball onto a cart path and nearly through a nearby window – Bjorn waved him goodbye.

Montgomerie made no apology then for his behaviour, saying he let off steam because he was so competitive. Ironically, it was the day after new rules on golfing etiquette had been announced just a few yards away.