Monty looks to Ryder Cup

Last week it was Tiger Woods 18 over par. This week it was Colin Montgomerie - for two rounds, not four.

Montgomerie’s worst-ever US PGA performance will doubtless be linked to the distractions of personal troubles and Woods can certainly relate to that.

“Very long two days – very long week unfortunately,” said Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, who for the second time this year faced questions about his private life on Wednesday and commented: “I know a lot of you are having a lot of fun right now at my expense.”

Only if he resigned could the 47-year-old Scot step out of the limelight right now, though, and judging by what he said after finding himself in last place last night that is not going to happen.

“I’m looking forward to getting the Ryder Cup team picked. A few are doing well, which is great, and I’ll be following the Europeans and seeing what happens.

“I have spoken to everyone I needed to speak to about their schedules and I am fine about that.

“I look forward to selecting a very, very strong team.”

The side is decided at Gleneagles in two weeks, although many of the stars still trying to grab a guaranteed place – Montgomerie has three wild cards – are staying in America for the start of the FedEx Cup play-offs, which does not count for points.

This week then was the last opportunity for Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia.

Rose managed only two rounds of 74 which leaves him requiring a pick in all probability, while Donald – who is in position to qualify as things stand – is struggling to make the cut too at three over with nine to play.

Casey is two better than that and has 11 holes of his second round to complete today, while Harrington recovered from three over to level par in the opening six holes of his round.

Montgomerie will be watching with keen interest – and with envy too.

This might prove to be the last major he ever played and, if so, it was not bowing out in style.

Much better to remember the five runners-up finishes he had in majors, even if some of them were painful.

Three US Opens, one PGA and one Open saw Montgomerie end up second and no player in the history of the game has had as many such near-misses without ever winning one.

The Ryder Cup, of course, was a different story for him – and he hopes it will be again at Celtic Manor in October.