Montgomerie lashes out at Mickelson’s $9m win

COLIN Montgomerie has criticised Phil Mickelson for failing to donate his $9 million winner’s cheque from his match with Tiger Woods to charity after describing the amount of money involved in the Las Vegas winner- t akes- all showdown as “obscene”. Monty also questioned the value of the pay- per- view exchange.

“Had it happened 10 years ago when they were ranked one and two in the world it would have been more appropriate,” he said, during a visit to his homeland to open a Maggie’s Centre at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.

“It was an event made for TV and I think eventually the last hour was OK because it was quite close. But up until then I wasn’t quite into it.

“The amount of money involved was also obscene when there are other issues in the world, so I would have loved the winner to have announced that they were giving the cash to charity.

“Also, as someone who is not a gambler or a supporter of gambling, I was disappointed that they were having side bets for monies that were more than our prime minister earns. It doesn’t seem right.

“We used to have an event like this at the Shell Wonderful World of Golf but that was fun, everybody enjoyed themselves and then went home without the gambling situation.”

Monty took time out to meet up with Catriona Matthew during a clinic at Braid Hills Golf Centre and offer his services to the Solheim Cup captain ahead of next year’s biennial match at Gleneagles. But Monty, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup success at Celtic Manor eight years ago, stressed: “She would have to come to me. All she has to do is pick up the phone. I have already said to Catriona that the match being in Scotland with a Scot as captain, I would be willing to help in any way possible, with my thoughts on the course, for example. I obviously have a lot of experience, having being involved in nine Ryder Cups, so if she’s got some questions, fire away, please. But I don’t want to get in the way.”

Meanwhile, on the course, Louis Oosthuizen will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the South African Open after firing 67 on day three in Johannesburg. The 2010 Open champion entered the weekend two shots behind fellow South African Charl Schwartzel but the 2011 Masters winner will now have to do the chasing after a disappointing 72.

Oosthuizen moved to 14 under with England’s Matt Wallace (68) and Zambian world No 1330 Madalitso Muthiya (71) at 11 under alongside Schwartzel. Scot Robert McIntyre shot 68 and is in a group of eight players six shots off the lead.