Montgomerie misses Irish Open

Colin Montgomerie has pulled out of this week’s Irish Open with an Achilles problem.

Last year’s Ryder Cup captain was to have lined up alongside Ireland’s four major winners Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, reigning US Open champion Rory McIlroy and new Open champion Darren Clarke.

Montgomerie has not played since the Scottish Open three weeks ago, failing to qualify for The Open after sharing the lead at Castle Stuart early in the final round.

He has not made the field either for next week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron or the final major of the year, the US PGA Championship in Atlanta starting on August 11, so his next appearance might not be until the Czech Open a week later or the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles at the end of next month.