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USPGA Report - Day 1 |
August 14, 2003; Source: AnyoneForTee"Mobile phones are to blame" says Monty, after bogey bonanza |
 OAK HILL. Colin Montgomerie has blamed mobile phones that didn't go off for a disastrous 12-over-par 82 in the first round of the 85th USPGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester.The Scot, who has never won a major, went out in 42 and came back in 40 at the par-70 layout. The former seven-time European number one leaked 12 bogeys as his challenge sank without trace. Montgomery, whose infamous temperament can be ruffled by the sound of a crisp packet being opened four fairways away, said the problem of mobile phones going off during a tournament had to be sorted for the good of the game. When it was pointed out that no phones had actually sounded during his round, the Scot snapped: "That's not the point, is it? I knew they [the spectators] had them and any moment one might go off - that's even worse than when one does.  "I kept waiting for one to go off, I know what American galleries are like,” he raged. “I'd be addressing my drive or standing over a three-foot putt and I'd be expecting to hear the theme tune to Mrs Doubtfire on a ringtone."Asked if he was being a little paranoid, Montgomerie replied: “Not at all, it’s just that everyone is against me…” "I didn't play very well," admitted Montgomerie, who pulled out of the Open at Royal St George's, Sandwich after eight holes with a wrist injury, believed to have occurred when he slapped his caddy for chewing gum too loudly. "Not that I'm worried about never...never...never ever ever...ever...not even once in my life...god just once...never winning a major."  Amazingly, Monty still thinks he can win the tournament. Showing increasing signs of stress, he told a stunned press conference that only several thousand mobile phones stood between him and victory. “Otherwise, a 54 will be good enough to make the cut, and I'll take it from there... it’s just the bells...the bells..,” he said, before the press conference descended into chaos... Editor's note: Concerned by Monty's state of mind, AnyoneForTee conducted a quick poll of leading players at the USPGA for their views on mobile phones on the course. Sergio Garcia, reached as he was getting ready to approach the par 4 16th on his way to a round of 72 - well in contention - told us: "I don't have a problem with it, but I guess if you shoot 82, everything's a problem. Now if you don't mind, I was talking to my girlfriend when you called...".
To read our report of Day 2 of the USPGA, click here. To read our report of Day 3 of the USPGA, click here. To read our USPGA special report , click here. To read our report of Day 4 of the USPGA, click here. |
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