Monty on the brink

Colin Montgomerie is a step nearer having to qualify for the Open at his home club Royal Troon in July.

After a birdie and eagle in his first three holes at the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Heidelberg today Montgomerie crashed to a three over par 75.

And that increases the likelihood of him falling out of the world’s top 50 this week and missing out on an Open exemption.

The 40-year-old Scot, who on his last visit to the St Leon-Rot course two years ago lost a play-off to Tiger Woods, had three double bogeys in an inward 41.

“Miss the fairways here and you can’t do as well as you expect,” said a disappointed and subdued Montgomerie, who describes himself as taking “one day at a time” following his recent marriage break-up.

His presence in next month’s US Open is also in doubt. Next week’s Volvo PGA championship at Wentworth is that event’s cut-off point for the world’s top 50 and Montgomerie currently stands 50th.