Tour officials aim to move on from 'Jakarta affair'

European tour officials hope they have now heard the last of Colin Montgomerie’s “Jakarta affair” following a players’ meeting at Wentworth last night.

For the last two months there have been rumblings on the circuit over the Ryder Cup star’s replacing of his ball on the 14th hole of his second round at the Indonesian Open.

After seeing the video himself and feeling uncomfortable about it, Montgomerie donated his €35,000 for fourth place to the tsunami appeal.

Comments from players then led to the tournament committee discussing the matter two weeks ago.

Montgomerie, a member himself, was questioned and the meeting ended with them expressing their “dissatisfaction” with how he acted in not marking his ball when play was suspended because of a storm.

In addition, John Paramor, the tour’s chief referee, said if the full facts had come to light later in the event Montgomerie would have been disqualified.

Last night’s meeting on the eve of the BMW Championship was the opportunity for anyone still unhappy to speak up, but executive director George O’Grady headed that off with what he described as “a positive presentation” of the tour’s future.

“We have some of the best field staff and rules staff in the world and when they make a considered judgement and explain it fully to the committee these decisions should not be questioned,” he said.

Committee chairman Jamie Spence had earlier commented: “I think those who have been kicking up a fuss have not thought it through properly.

“Monty should have marked his ball and if the referee had a split screen (of where Montgomerie’s ball was originally and where he eventually chipped from) he would have come to a different conclusion.

“If that had been the case we would not be talking about it now, but I still have the greatest respect for Monty. He has been a great servant of the tour and terrific for the membership.”

Thomas Bjorn, another member of the committee, said: “We’ve talked with Monty and we’ve talked to the referees and we feel like we put a lid on this.

“The committee didn’t feel there was any more that could be done and I don’t think the tour feels like there’s anything more that can be done.

“We have to trust our referees who know the rules, but they will get it wrong sometimes. But I don’t think you can disqualify somebody when the tournament is closed.”