Monty bidding for US Open berth

Colin Montgomerie tees off at 8.20am at Walton Heath tomorrow to try to secure a place in next month’s United States Open.

The 36-hole European qualifier sees fewer than 80 players competing for 11 spots at Bethpage Black.

Former Ryder Cup teammates David Howell, Niclas Fasth, Thomas Levet and Paul McGinley, plus his World Cup-winning partner Marc Warren, are also in the field.

Montgomerie was third on his debut in the US Open in 1992 and since then has lost a play-off in 1994, came up one shot short in 1997 – Ernie Els won both of those – and three years ago double-bogeyed the last hole to lose by one again.

The only time he has missed the championship was 2004.