Praise but no place for Monty from Augusta chief

Colin Montgomerie was described as “a great man” by the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club. But the comment did not come accompanied by an invitation to next year’s Masters.

The eight-time European number one spoke out last week – after failing to qualify for the opening major of the year – about three invitations being handed to three Asian golfers for commercial rather than sporting reasons.

Billy Payne, who took over as the host club’s chairman last year, said: “Colin Montgomerie is a great man, a great competitor, a great representative of the UK.

“We wish him the best luck. We think he’ll be back here soon and hopes we plays well here. And that’s really all I have to say about it.”

China’s Liang Wen-chong, Thai Prayad Marksaeng and Indian Jeev Milkha Singh were the players awarded special invites.

“It’s a strange way to make up a field for a major championship – TV rights,” said Montgomerie, adding: “They are quite open about why, just as they were when I missed out last time in 2005, when they picked Shingo Katayama, then 67th in the world. I was 51st at the time.

“They picked him over me for the Japanese TV rights. There are enough Brits in the field, so there won’t be a call. Now if I were the only person in the country, a la China, I might get in.”

Also in his news conference today Payne stated that Augusta will continue to try to help grow the game worldwide.

“There remains, we believe, an untapped opportunity in Asia and other parts of the world where amateur golf has its greatest growth potential.

“Together with our partner the R&A (the Royal and Ancient Club, organisers of the Open) and other golf organisations we want to pursue the development of amateur golf for the purpose of creating heroes and legends among the representative countries, establishing role models who attract other kids to the game.”

This year’s Masters sees children aged eight to 16 being given free entrance to the tournament for the first time when accompanied by an accredited adult.

Asked whether he was worried there might be attempts to abuse the system Payne commented: “There won’t be any bearded six-year-olds.”