‘Man up’ – Colin Montgomerie sends message to US Open hopefuls

Colin Montgomerie has urged players to ‘man up’ and ‘get on with it’ ahead of this week’s US Open.

The USGA showpiece is renowned for being the toughest of the four men’s major championships and that looks to be the case once again.

Oakmont, in Pennsylvania, has been set up by the USGA to prove particularly tricky, leaving players concerned over its difficulty.

Last year’s champion Bryson DeChambeau teed it up at the venue in a recent YouTube video and, subsequently, declared it the ‘hardest golf course’ he could play right now.

Jhonattan Vegas also wrote on X: “Good news guys. They are cutting the rough but it’s still unplayable. Have fun.”

But Monty, who finished second three times in the US Open, said that action by the USGA disappointed him.

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“I was disappointed at the USGA having to cut the rough a wee bit because it was too severe,” he told reporters at Trump International Golf Links, ahead of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship.

“[Look at] technology now from 30 years ago. The golf ball that we were playing with 30 years ago moved around all over the place. It was soft, it went 20 yards shorter.

“Now, the golf club development, the drivers, the irons, the putters, look at the putters now, the development in the putters.

“So, get on with it. For Christ’s sake, you’ve got technology there that is beyond what you would ever, ever dream of.

“Use it and play golf. I mean, at this level, you shouldn’t be missing any fairways, unless it’s blowing a gale.

“The research and development that’s been poured into the game, man up. Yeah, get on with it.”

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In his defence of the setup, Montgomerie compared it to that of previous editions.

He finished T2 at Oakmont in 1994, falling short to Ernie Els in a play-off, which also included Loren Roberts.

The South African’s winning score was –5 and with more carnage expected for the 125th edition, the 61-year-old reckons an under-par score could be a winning one.

“They can’t lengthen these courses any more,” Montgomerie said. “They can’t get to 8,000 yards.

“So, what they’ve got isn’t long, but you’ve got to hit the fairways. And if you don’t hit the fairways, you are going to struggle.

“It goes back to the way we used to play in the 90s. And that’s why I had some success in the US Open, because I hit the fairways. It’s not a part of the competition anymore.

“I don’t think you’ll find anyone get to ten-under. I always felt, even this week, if you’re level par, I think you’re making a speech.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.