Gloomy Monty toils in the sun

14 April 2012

Colin Montgomerie says he is taking life day-by-day following the break-up of his marriage. But it is a policy that can lead to all kinds of frustration.

So it proved on the second morning of the British Masters at the Forest of Arden course near Coventry.

Montgomerie managed a commendable level par 72 on his return to professional golf yesterday, but struggled today to remain in contention for a place in the weekend draw.

The big Scot, back beneath his own patch of private gloom despite playing under a bright sun, was one under par for the tournament turning for home.

That left him seven shots behind joint leaders Trevor Immelman, of South Africa, and Argentinian veteran Eduardo Romero, who were eight under par after 15 and 10 holes respectively.

On a day of benign weather when birdies were there for the bagging, Montgomerie managed just two for his first nine after starting from the dog-leg par four 10th.

Then, for the second successive round, he dropped a shot at the first and not even the sympathetic applause of a large gallery could ease the load on his shoulders.

Montgomerie last week confirmed his separation from Eimear, his wife of 14 years.

It was a highly public split and in the circumstances it would have been understandable if Montgomerie had relegated golf to low down on his list of priorities.

Yet the 40-year-old Ryder Cup star insisted he had to play on. Before rejoining playing partners Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood on the first tee, he explained: "This is my job. Whatever else is happening at home doesn't come into that. This is my living, it's what I do best, and I enjoyed it out there.

"It's a day-by-day life right now but I'm looking forward to it, actually. I am looking forward to a new life."

By contrast, Faldo must have been looking back ruefully to past glories as he struggled even more than Montgomerie.

The 46-year-old winner of six major titles had set his heart on making a record 12th Ryder Cup appearance in September. But on the form he's displayed so far this season it isn't going to happen.

In five starts on the European Tour, Faldo has yet to record a top 10 finish. And after a first round three-over-par 75, he dropped three more shots on his outward nine this morning to stand six over at the turn.

At that stage his score was the third highest.

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