This one’s for dad .. he can’t walk 18 holes now but will cheer me at 1st and last
The walk to Royal Troon’s first tee is a well-trodden path for Colin Montgomerie.
But he admits he’ll never be more proud to take those steps than this Thursday – when he makes his dad’s dream come true.
This, the 86th year of James Montgomerie’s life, was already shaping up to be a special one as he is to take on the prestigious role of club president at Troon.
But for his boy to mark that landmark moment by earning an emotional Open swan song on their home course only makes this week even more poignant for the whole Montgomerie family.
Having battled his way into the 156-man starting field by grabbing the third and final spot in a 36-hole qualifier at Glasgow Gailes late last month, Monty has been excitedly preparing for a moment he thought had passed him by.
At 53, there’s an odds-on chance that this 22nd appearance on the Open stage will be his last.
But what a way to bow out? Or, more accurately, what a place to make his curtain call?
Yet as much as it means to him, it’s even more special to know that it means even more to another Monty sitting proudly in the stand.
Colin said: “In a way it was one for dad. He’s 86 now and he becomes president of the club at the AGM just after the Open. He’s so proud to take on that role, being an honorary member himself as I am.
“It’s a big deal for him to have this whole thing happen, including me qualifying, and I’m thrilled for him.
“He was very excited when I got home from qualifying.
“Walking 18 holes is now really beyond him – but I actual ly asked him to stay away from Glasgow Gailes to be honest.
“But he’ll be out on the first tee at Troon no doubt, and he’s got his position in the stand and in the clubhouse.
“But I don’t think you’ll see him on the ninth green – it’s about a threemile hike out there! He will be around the 1st and 18th and just very proud.”
Six years after his last appearance at St Andrews, it’s fitting that Colin’s adventure should come full circle at the place where young Monty spent countless long summer days honing his skills and dreaming of playing in The Open. He remembered: “You’re not allowed to play on the old course until you’re 18 so I would play on the Troon Portland course next door.
“My first golf shot was on the children’s course, which is the practice ground now and where all the marquees and tents are for the Open.
“I was six so the memories are all there. I could bore you to death with them.
“In school holidays I was playing three rounds a day. Sometimes 36 at Portland and then on to one of
Troon’s municipal courses, the Fullerton or the Darley. “I would have left on the bike in the morning with the golf clubs over one shoulder and not come back until well after tea time.” Montgomerie would take that relentless practice regime on the big course as soon as he reached his 18th birthday, so no one in the field this week will know each nook and cranny of this place better than him. But does that put him at an advantage to handle the windy conditions forecast better than the rest? He certainly thinks so, despite suffering a confidence setback when he missed the cut at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
He said: “It depends on the weather. If it’s inclement in any way someone with experience could gain there.
“If the weather is calmish everyone is in the same boat – you get a yardage and you hit it.
“It brings its own pressures as well when some people say, ‘He knows his way around.’
“Even though you aim for a position the ball doesn’t always go there.
“But look back to Tom Watson in 2009 when he came so close to the Claret Jug at Turnberry.
“It shows that on a links course the senior guys can still compete.
“We all felt the same – come on, do this. Everybody stopped what they were doing and watched him try to make par at the last hole. And all wishing him to do so.
“It has given us hope, if you like. There are a number of good over-50s playing at Troon.
“Vijay Singh finished second the other week at Congressional.
“Miguel Angel Jimenez and others can play, believe me.
“There are others who, given the confidence from what Watson did in 2009, can still compete.
“It’s the one game you can still compete at 50. It gives us all hope.
“But I really did think my days of playing in The Open were over.
“I had a chance at Sunningdale when I was two ahead in the Senior Open with eight to go and knew the winner got into The Open. Whether that played a part in me not winning I’m not sure.
“But I’ve made it in now and my goal is to still be there on Sunday. I would love to make the cut.
“If Thursday and Friday happen to go extremely well, that goal might change but at the start of the week it’s just to be there on Sunday.
“Back in the 90s, I was going to The Open to win but you must be realistic – if I finish in the top 10 it’s a hell of a performance. And then I’d get in The Open next year too!”
Monty will be splitting his time competing and commentating this week when he leaves the course for the studio after his round.
He will analyse his rivals on the other side of the draw for Sky Sports, which will show The Open exclusively live for the first time.