Monty still haunted by marriage break-up

Colin Montgomerie openly admits he is losing sleep. But there are more serious things than the Ryder Cup on his mind.

As he continues his bid to be part of Europe’s team next month, Montgomerie is still dealing with the pain of his marriage break-up four months ago.

“I just can’t get my head around it and sleep is a real problem,” said the 40-year-old in Akron, where he is competing in the NEC world championship this weekend.

It explains his recent weight loss.

“I’ve got a lot more time on my hands now, so I’m working out a lot and getting myself tired to help me sleep.”

Father-of-three Montgomerie, who expects his divorce to be through by the end of the year, was so focused on his personal life earlier this summer that making the Ryder Cup was neither here nor there to him.

It is different now, though, and he is happy for captain Bernhard Langer to know that as he considers his wild card options.

“I’d like to play in the Ryder Cup. Two months ago I don’t think that was the case.”

The qualifying race comes to an end in Munich next week, but unless he finishes in the top nine tomorrow – and possibly higher depending on how others fare – the seven-time European number one, 20th in the standings, will have no hope of an automatic spot.

With a superb cup record, however, Montgomerie is a red-hot favourite for a captain’s pick.

After two rain-hit days at Firestone Country Club, the Scot resumed today in joint 22nd place on one under par, seven behind leader Stewart Cink and with two holes of his second round to complete.

Only 24 of the 75 players have reached halfway, Cink still having eight holes left to try to build on his three-stroke advantage before the third round.

There were 76 at the start of yesterday, but after chatting with Langer Swede Joakim Haeggman decided to abort his trip after an opening 80 left him dead last.

Haeggman, named in March as one of the German’s assistants, is 12th in the race, but felt the need to fly home and clear his head before the final event, the BMW International Open, starting next Thursday.

Having missed the cut in the US PGA championship, Haeggman said: “I’ve had a tough two weeks and I think I need to re-group.

“If I shot three 67s here obviously it could help me get into the team, but I didn’t think the odds on that were very good.

“I’ve been running low on energy and my game is just not working. I’ve played a lot and maybe it’s taken a toll, but this way I hope I can play a lot better next week and still make it.”

He could have to finish first, second or third in Munich, however.

As well as speaking with Langer, Haeggman also contacted European Tour officials to check that his 25,500-dollar cheque could be added to his Ryder Cup points total even if he withdrew. It will be.

Leading European in Akron overnight was Sergio Garcia, three under and joint seventh with Tiger Woods.

Lee Westwood is one stroke further back, while the only three to have finished their second rounds are defending champion Darren Clarke, England’s Luke Donald and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez – all on one over.

Garcia, Westwood, Clarke and Jimenez are safely into Langer’s line-up, but Donald will require a wild card unless he finishes second tomorrow.

“Five under is in second place, so I could easily get well back into position, but the course is getting longer and longer,” he said.

“The wetter it is the less it suits me because I hit it shorter than most guys.”

Paul McGinley, in the 10th and last automatic spot, stood two over when he resumed and had to make a move to get past the absent David Howell and Ian Poulter, eighth and ninth respectively in the table.

Vijay Singh and Ernie Els do not look like ending Woods’ five-year reign as world number one. They are five over and eight over.