Spanish Open: Gonzalez leads, Montgomerie miffed
Ricardo Gonzalez was the clubhouse leader earlier today at the Spanish Open today in Seville, leading by a stroke over Englishman Paul Waring at the Real Club de Golf.
The 40-year-old Argentinian Gonzalez carded eight birdies and a bogey on the 14th to come home seven-under-par 65 earlier today, with Waring in hot pursuit with a round of six-under that included an eagle on the fifth, as well as birdies on the first three holes.
Fellow Englishman Simon Dyson was a stroke further behind, though he'd only got as far as the 13th hole, tying with Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara, on the 14th, for third place - each man having scored five birdies across so flawless rounds so far.
Welshman Stephen Dodd was tied for sixth place on three under, as was England's Mark Foster, both players having completed their rounds. Dodd shot six birdies and three bogeys, while Foster shot five birdies, four bogeys and an eagle on the 16th.
While play continues, some players having only recently teed off, there's still time for a change at the top of the leaderboard before tomorrow's second round gets underway. If there's one thing that can be relied upon to remain constant, however, it's the famous Montgomerie temper.
Crotchety Colin's game may have faded in recent years, but the irascible Scot remains a world-class sulk. No sooner had he finished his round today than Monty was raging at tournament director Miguel Vidaor, the target of his ire being music emanating from a nearby tent.
On being told that the volume had already been turned down once, the master curmudgeon shot back: "Should never have happened in the first place. Is this a party or a golf tournament?" It should be noted that Montgomerie had just bogeyed the 18th to come home one-under-par 71 - not a disastrous round, but one only good enough to see him currently tied for 25th place.
Music may not have charms to sooth this savage beast, but while Monty stews about such petty distractions the former European No. 1 must surely recognise that more pressing factors have seen his standing plunge to 322nd in the world. He's still in the hunt here, but sooner or later the 46-year-old really will have to face the music.
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