Monty cheered by Irish venture

There was a smile on Colin Montgomerie’s face as he flew out of Dublin today - even though he still has to earn himself a place in next month’s US Open.

First of all a closing 70 left the 41-year-old Scot believing that his game is in good enough shape to win a fourth PGA Championship in eight years at Wentworth this week.

And secondly he was delighted with how the first of his courses to host a European Tour course, Carton House near Dublin, had stood up to the test.

“Some have come in and said it’s tough, but I make no apology for that,” said Montgomerie after finishing the Nissan Irish Open down the field on one over par.

“It’s a mental battle, not a bomber’s course and overall I’m very happy with what has been said to me.

“There will be a couple of changes next year. The fourth and sixth fairways are particularly narrow and I’d like to put the green on the 18th across the river – only for the tournament because amateurs would empty their bags (of balls). I’d build the thing myself.”

As for his own performance Montgomerie commented: “It’s been a difficult week in many ways. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt sorry for fellow competitors and I’ve had to worry about what other people were saying and other things like tee-markers and signage.

“But a 70 is good golf here. Six birdies – one every three holes – on the best challenge so far this year. Next week will be a lot easier hopefully and I’m looking forward to it.”

Montgomerie needs to be in the world’s top 50 next Sunday night to avoid having to qualify for the US Open at Pinehurst and he came into the Irish Open 54th.

He had four of his birdies in the last seven holes and while they came too late to drastically alter his world ranking position, which will be reassessed after the US Tour event finished tonight, they do help what he will need to do at Wentworth.

“About fifth, I guess,” he said before doing another quick mental calculation and estimating that with Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, ranked third and fifth, in the field top 10 might be sufficient.

Montgomerie had another reason to smile. His round finished just before a hailstorm halted play.