Faldo and Monty head home early

Colin Montgomerie and Nick Faldo, former Ryder Cup partners and two of British golf’s biggest names, could not stop the rot at St Leon-Rot today.

Montgomerie, his marriage break-up clearly making it impossible for him to focus properly on anything else, crashed out of the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Heidelberg on a sorry nine over par and further down the field than at any time in Europe since his professional debut in 1987.

In a field of 156 he did not even manage a place in the top 125.

Faldo, only one stroke better following a 77, is also not part of the weekend action – and for the first time in a tour career that began in 1976 and spans over 350 events has now missed three successive halfway cuts.

Meanwhile, of course, there were those thoroughly enjoying themselves. Nobody more so than Czech-born German Alex Cejka, whose two-eagle, five-birdie 64 equalled the course record he himself set two years ago.

Cejka, trying to force his way into Europe’s Ryder Cup team, moved to 11 under par after originally fearing he would not be able to play because of a hamstring strain.

But as he charged to the head of things, helped by the fact that strong winds made life difficult for the likes of Ernie Els and first round leaders Trevor Immelman and Gregory Havret, Montgomerie was a shadow of his former self.

Playing partner Padraig Harrington confirmed that the “Full Monty” is nowhere to be seen.

“It’s tough being Monty at the moment – he’s half the man he was,” said the defending champion after coming in with a 68 to be five behind Cejka.

“Obviously we feel for him. I noticed how quiet he was. Golf-wise he’s distracted and anybody not focusing is not going to play good golf.

“It’s tough, especially when it’s played out in the media.”

Montgomerie, who had his sports psychologist Hugh Mantle with him offering support, cut a sad sight as he headed towards his car for the 500-mile journey home two days earlier than he hoped.

“I have to do my job, but unfortunately it’s difficult,” said the Scot, who had preferred the loneliness of the long-distance driver to flying.

“It does not matter where it is at the moment. It could be the Troon children’s course.

“I enjoy my job, but I don’t enjoy playing this way. It’s understandable, though, and I’ve just got to try again next week and the next and the next until I can perform to my ability. That’s all I can do.”

Next week is the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth, an event he has won three times. But that thought did not cheer him – he had good memories of St Leon-Rot as well after being in a play-off with Tiger Woods two years ago.

There were implications in this week’s performance. Montgomerie is almost certain to fall out of the world’s top 50 and therefore does not yet have a place in next month’s US Open or July’s Open at his home club Royal Troon.

There are various routes still open, but they are starting to close fast.

Faldo tried glasses for the first time, but could not reverse a slide that began with him making early exits from the US Masters and British Masters.

He too is not in the US Open and will make a decision after next week whether even to enter the 36-hole qualifying event in Florida.