Colin Montgomerie :: Watson is a ‘legend’

• Colin Montgomerie full of praise for playing partner Watson
• “Any time you play with Tom is something special,” he said
• Finishes runner-up in defence of US Senior Open title

Colin Montgomerie said it was ‘something special’ to be playing alongside ‘legend’ Tom Watson during the final round of the US Senior Open as he failed in the defence of his title in Sacramento.

The 52-year-old, like Watson, started Sunday just one shot back from overnight leader Jeff Maggert and carded a fine four-under-par round of 66, only to miss out by two shots after the American went round in 65 to win by two shots.

But Montgomerie was pleased with his runner-up finish, especially after a gruelling four days at the US Open a week previously.

“To come here very tired and put in a good performance – it’s always nice when you’re defending a title to defend it properly,” said Colin Montgomerie. “I did more than that and nearly got there, so I’m thrilled with the way I’m playing.”

“If there was a big four in golf, he’d be part of it” – Colin Montgomerie

And the 2010 Ryder Cup captain was full of praise for final day playing partner Watson – who is bowing out of the Open at St Andrews in less than three weeks’ time – referring to the eight-time major winner as a ‘legend’.

“It was a great honour for me to be playing with the legend that is Tom Watson today. Any time you play with Tom is something special. He gets on with the game and plays the game properly.

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“Legend is used to regularly but, in my view, he is. If there was a big four in golf, he’d be part of it.”

And there’s no rest for Montgomerie as he aims to qualify for his 22nd Open Championship (although he hasn’t played in the tournament since 2010) in a qualifier at Woburn tomorrow.

Speaking after the US Senior Open, he said: “I’m off to LA airport to fly directly back to London to try and qualify for the Open Championship on Tuesday morning. I get in on Monday night and I’ll be playing 36 holes in a day so I’ll be tired then, I can assure you. But all credit to Jeff Maggert for his performance today.”

Colin Montgomerie :: Can he qualify?

With the way he’s playing at the moment, can Colin Montgomerie qualify for the Open tomorrow? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.