Previous Page Monty's Ryder Cup 2004Scotland is the home of golf, proudly boasting world-famous courses with beautiful scenery and rich sporting history. Therefore it is fitting that one of the world's most respected modern-day golfers hails from these shores.Colin Montgomerie is truly international sportsman who has climbed to the top echelons of the game because of his impressive, and eventually destructive, drive to be the best. After being introduced into the golfing world by his father, who was secretary at Royal Troon, he attended Houston Baptist University in Texas under a golf scholarship, studying business management and law. Initially, Monty wasn't interested in becoming a professional; instead he planned a career in the business and management side of the game. However, an enviable amateur record, including winning national championships and serving on two Walker Cup squads, helped convince him to have a tilt at the European tour and, after some success, he become professional in 1987. Characteristically, he waited after he had graduated. It wasn't long before he sealed his first title on the professional circuit. Winning the Portuguese open in 1989 was just the beginning of a long and successful career spanning over 15 years (and counting) and bringing home over 20 professional titles. Although, crucially, victory in one of the four Majors has still eluded him. With all of his success in the years to follow Monty has never managed to crack the biggest prizes in the game. In 1990 he married Eimear Wilson whom he met in Nairn at an amateur tournament and everything seemed to slot into place the following year.He was an influential part of the Four Tours World Championship winning team, won the Alfred Dunhill Cup, World Cup, the Scandinavian Masters and, most importantly, kicked off his love affair with the Ryder Cup by being named in the unsuccessful European team for the so-called 'war on the shore' on Kiawah island. The beginning of Montgomerie's domination of Europe started in 1993 when another host of titles were collected, including the Heineken Dutch Open and the Volvo Masters. More importantly, this was the year he climbed atop of the European order of Merit – and stayed for a record-breaking seven years. The distinction of winning a major continued to stump him, however, although he came agonisingly close in 1994 when he played 18 holes in a 3-way playoff with Ernie Els and Loren Roberts. Montgomerie shot a 78 while Els and Roberts shot 74's. His good friend Els eventually won on the second extra playoff hole.1995 brought the USPGA Championship playoff in Los Angeles, losing to Australian Steve Elkington. After having birdied the last three holes to force a tie, Elkington sank a 25-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole to win his first major title, and deny the Scot his. Montgomerie may never win a green jacket or hold the famous claret jug and, as he gets older, there is no doubt his chances appear to be receding. Yet one moment may help him overcome the hurt of never sharing the company of Jack Niklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods in the pantheon of true greats. Europe's 2004 Ryder Cup team were rated as underdogs by most pundits. For the first time in his career, the Scot needed to be the Captain's wildcard choice just to make it into the team. A troubled year for Monty began on the newspaper front pages, detailing his divorce from wife Eimear, but thankfully ended on the back. His form was erratic, to say the least, as was reflected in his 62nd-position in the rankings. But the Ryder Cup was Monty's stage. The Americans definitely feared him. He had suffered humiliating treatment at the hands of the American galleries in the past, especially at Brookline 1999.Having still never lost a singles match in the tournament and undoubtedly fired up by his feelings towards the US crowds, Monty produced a performance which was a throwback to his early days, including the typical puffed-out chest. Captain Bernhard Langer paired him with Padraig Harrington and they won twice on the first day to set the wheels in motion. Day two, although less successful for the partnership, was not a disaster as things had been going so well for Europe, Monty – the oldest member of the team - could afford to sit out the afternoon foursomes at his own request.On the final day European knees wobbled and the familiar feeling of a possible epic comeback from the Americans began to take hold. The scoreboard had turned to red, with the U.S.A leading in most of the final match ups. Montgomerie however, wasn't in the mood to lose and sank a confidence boosting birdie on the first hole against David Toms. The scoreboard then began to fade from a dangerous red towards a calm tide of blue which eventually swept Europe to their third Ryder Cup victory on American Soil. Not once did Monty fall behind against Toms, and it was fated that he was the man charged with holing the decisive putt.The perfect ending to one of the most one-sided Ryder Cups ever played. Monty may not now be the routinely dogged competitor he once was - and he may never win that Major - but when it comes to the Ryder Cup, to Scotland and to Europe, he is a true great. Written by: Robert Thomson | 
