Softly does it for Monty

Colin Montgomerie took the precaution of not hitting any shots out of heavy rough when he practised today for the USPGA Championship at Baltusrol.

And the Scot, who pulled out of the Johnnie Walker Championship last week after hurting three fingers on his right hand, maintained he will not venture onto the course at all tomorrow.

Montgomerie, runner-up to Tiger Woods in The Open during July, saw two specialists last Friday -and had a real scare when the first one started talking of surgery and possibly being out of action until February.

“The second didn’t think the ligament damage was as bad, so I rested it over the weekend and didn’t want to take any chances with it today,” said the seven-time European number one, who could go back to the top of the money list this week.

“I hit one or two out of the light rough, but that was enough. I was able to play 18 and not just nine that way, but I won’t play tomorrow now.

“I’m icing it and taking painkillers and anti-infammatories, but I don’t really know how it’s going to be on Thursday yet.”

Compatriot Stephen Gallacher and England’s David Howell were also out practising this morning after also withdrawing last week.

Gallacher has been seeing a chiropractor for back trouble and Howell has not played since tearing an abdominal muscle at the US Open in June.

Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia, Europe’s leading player in the world rankings, needed some treatment today after feeling his back in practice.

The Spaniard hoped it would not be a problem come the first round.