Colin Montgomerie (Part 2)
Later in the year, he also became the first golfer to take way 20 million Euros on the European Tour. At that time, Colin had topped the all time highest earners list. Only in 2010, five years later, he was exceeded by Ernie Els.
Colin Montgomerie is known as one of the best British golfers and the most consistent golfer of the 1990’s. Even with so much adulation, Monty is one golfer who never won a major championship. Call it luck or destiny, Colin had finished second place on
five separate occasions.
His third place finish at the 1992 U.S Open at Pebble Beach was the first of these very close wins. Then again in 1994 U.S Open, played at the Oakmont Country Club, Montgomerie lost to Ernie Else and Loren Roberts in a three-man playoff. He shot a 78 to
trail the 74 shots carded by Els and Roberts and eventually Els was the winner at the 20th hole.
At the 1995 PGA Championship, Monty birdied the last three holes of the Riveria Country Club in the final round and tied with Steve Elkington at 17 under par. However, in the first playoff hole, Colin missed the putt and had Elinkgton hole from a decent
distance and hence win the championship.
Ernie Else was in close competition with Monty again at the 1997 U.S. Open which was played at the Congressional Country Club. In the opening round, Monty carded a 65, a shot which is still remembered in the U.S open history. However, a 76 and bogey later
brought Monty down one shot behind Els, who was victorious yet again.
Nine years later, at the U.S open played at the Winged Foot Golf Club, Monty had his best chance to finally win his first major. That year, Monty had exceptionally good birdies and decent shots. However, at the end he pitched right on the green and then
missed a three-putter from 30 feet and lost the tournament by only one stroke.
“At my age I've got to think positively. I'm 43 next week, and it's nice I can come back to this tournament and do well again, and I look forward to coming back here again next year and trying another U.S Open disaster”, said Monty after the loss.
It’s true that Montgomerie doesn’t have a championship title to his name, but he has still a lot of significant victories attached to his name. He has won the Novotel Perrier Open de France and his record the Volvo PGA Championship three times now.
Colin was also victorious at the Ericsson Australian Masters and in 2002, he won his first title in Asia, the TCL Classic in China, one week after sharing 1st place with Bernhard Langer in the 2002 Volvo Masters which was his 27th European title.
In 2002, in Belfry, Colin led the European Ryder team to an amazing win under Sam Torrance’s captaincy. Just like his performance at the 1999 Ryder Cup, he came forward as the figurehead for the team and his poise and performance received compliments all
across the golfing community.
His skills shined again in the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills. He won the first point for Europeans with Padraig Harrington and holed the winning putt in his singles match. It was due to him that the Europeans got their biggest win against the US. Montgomerie
was also a significant member of the victorious 2006 Ryder Cup team.
Summing up, Colin Montgomerie has an amazing profile and especially a remarkable Ryder history. Having won fourteen tournaments around the world, it is no surprise that he is selected as the Ryder Cup Captain this time.
There was some controversy on Montgomerie picking Padraig Harrington over Paul Casey for the team. Monty just has to say that people can criticize him all they want on October 4th, when the Ryder Cup is over. He believes in Harrington and thus
has him playing for the Cup. With so much confidence, experience and expertise, the world really awaits on how Monty’s team will do in the Ryder Cup this year.
Tags: