Colin Montgomerie posts a lackluster first round at Saab Wales Open at Celtic Manor
Colin Montgomerie's seventh place finish in last week’s BMW PGA Championship might have given him the required impetus to post more strong finishes, but failing to qualify for the US Open on Monday, probably broke his heart.
Montgomerie took off with a disappointing seven-over, 78 in the first round of Saab Wales Open at Celtic Manor Resort on Thursday June 3, and is now unsure of making through the cut at the end of the second round. Last year’s Ryder Cup captain and a leading
european golfer, Montgomerie’s posture and his words were more of a concern than his performance.
"I'm very tired, mentally more than physically." said the 47-year-old Montgomerie. "I started bogey, bogey, bogey and could have gone home. I'll waste my time tomorrow - and then go home."
Montgomerie remains as one of the most unfortunate English players who finished five times for the second place in majors and never won a single one. Celtic Manor remains his favourite hunting ground where he led the European team to a stellar victory. But
his poor performance in the first round was more of indication of his weary confidence to forge ahead.
Montgomerie has never missed an Open since 1990 when he made his debut. He has been one of the leading figures in European golf who has done a marvelous job for the promotion of the sport in the continent.
Turning professional in 1988, he went over to claim his first professional victory on European Tour at the 1989 Portuguese Open by a staggering eight shots. In his stellar career, Montgomerie has won 40 professional events, 31 of them coming on the European
Tour alone. Seventh place finish at the BMW PGA Championship was his best performance in three years when he finished tied for 16th at the 2008 Accenture Match Play Championship.
Montgomerie was hoping to qualify for the US Open through the international qualifying rounds held at the Walton Heath Old and New, England but ended up carding one-over, 145.
The 156-man field at this week’s Saab Wales Open is contending for the top slot, many of whom are hoping to break into the top 50 to qualify for next week’s second major of the season. Ross Fisher also had a disappointing first round at the Celtic Manor
when he finished for one-under, 70. He is currently resting at 52nd place and needs a strong finish to make it into the US open.
Miguel Angel Jimenez also had a disappointing round. South African Keith Horne came out to be the clubhouse leader at the end of the day with his near-perfect round of seven-under, 64. Swede Peter Hanson was one shot behind the leader with his six-under,
65.
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