Monty ‘surprised’ by Hall of Fame nod

Answering the Col: Montgomerie admits that he was surprised to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame 

Eight-time European No.1 admits induction came out the blue given his age

Colin Montgomerie has admitted that he was surprised to be appointed to the World Golf Hall of Fame this week.

The eight-time European Tour No.1 and 2010 Ryder Cup winning captain was added to the sport’s prestigious roll call of honour after polling a reported 51% of the vote on the Hall’s international ballot.

However, despite this and his impressive career, some people have been quick to criticise Montgomerie’s inclusion, insisting that, at 49, he is too young to be consider eligible just yet, with others pin-pointing his lack of a major victory as a reason against his inclusion.

Whilst delighted by the invitation to join the Hall of Fame – particularly in a year that sees his fellow Scots Willie Park Jr and former European Tour chief Ken Schofield also inducted – Montgomerie admitted his invitation caught him somewhat off-guard.

“Yes, it did come as a surprise,” said Montgomerie. “I’m the second youngest appointment to the Hall of Fame, behind Olazabal who was added in 2009 so, in that regard, yes, I’m still young!

“It’s a nice honour and, hopefully, I can add to my career in the years to come and perhaps win a senior major. It’s a very good honour to get before you are 50, that’s for sure.”

Montgomerie also paid tribute to the PGA of America on the ‘astute’ appointment of Tom Watson as the US Ryder Cup captain for the 2014 match at Gleneagles. However, the Scot distanced himself from taking the reins of the European team again, particularly when he reaches 65, the age Watson will be when he leads America in Perthshire in just under two years’ time.

“I think they have been quite astute in appointing someone of Tom’s stature,” said Montgomerie. “Something had to change. They’ve lost the last three matches and if you continue to do the same thing, in any walk of life, you’re going to get the same results.

“So, they’ve looked to Watson and, whilst it is perhaps a bit of a risk, I think it’s an astute move.

“Now, if it gets to the point that we’ve lost four in a row by the time I turn 61, would I throw my hat in the ring like Tom has done? By then, we’ll have a number of great candidates for the job and I should imagine I’ll just be walking the dogs!”

In a wide-ranging chat ahead of the PGA of Scotland’s annual lunch in Glasgow, where he was the guest of honour, Montgomerie also revealed that the Johnnie Walker Championship is unlikely to take place in 2014 as its host venue, the Gleneagles Hotel, readies itself for staging the Ryder Cup.

The tournament has been a fixture on the European Tour international schedule, in one guise or another, since 1999 and has been sponsored by the world-renowned whisky brand since 2005.

Over the past few years, it has been held at the end of August and has enjoyed an enhanced profile on the tour as the final qualifying event for the last three Ryder Cup matches. However, there has been some speculation of late over its place on the schedule in 2014 when the Ryder Cup makes its much-anticipated return to Scotland.

Montgomerie – who also revealed he has been getting some advice from his Sky Sports co-commentators Ewen Murray and Butch Harmon over how to get his game back in shape – appeared to confirm suggestions that it would not take place when he said there would be ‘no 2014 event’ for players to prove their worth over the PGA Centenary Course, thereby making next year’s event even more important.

He then qualified that by adding: “There are rumours that it might not be played at all because of the date and trying to find another date for it. There’s been talk about the King’s or Queen’s Course, too. I’m not sure completely what’s happening. I know it’s on again in 2015, which is great, and it’s happening in 2013, too. But 2014, I couldn’t say for sure.”

When contacted by bunkered, a spokesperson for the European Tour said that an announcement on the Johnnie Walker Championship’s place in the 2014 schedule would be made on Thursday, December 20.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor