Colin Montgomerie may take a two-week break from golf after negative media coverage of his poor showing at The Open.

The Scot finished 13-over par, after a final-round 75 at Muirfield on Sunday.

He had shot a new course record 64 on Friday but struggled in wet and windy conditions the following day.

After carding a dismal 84, he apparently marched off the course and refused to speak to the media.

"I'm really hurt by it all," Montgomerie said. "I've pulled out of golf tournaments the next two weeks. I can't handle it any more."

The 39-year-old was not due to play in this week's TNT Dutch Open in Hilversum, but is the defending champion in Scandinavian Masters (8-11 August)

He could now miss the Scandinavian event, but his manager Guy Kinnings told BBC Sport Online: "He will definitely be playing in the USPGA in three weeks time."

On Sunday he denied that he had refused to talk to the media or that he showed his temper on the course.

"I left as no-one wanted to speak to me. I didn't storm off. I didn't go off in a temper. OK," he said.

"I played in very difficult circumstances yesterday and I'm very disappointed at the way you (the media) keep on trying to believe that I have a bad temper on the golf course.

"I haven't shown a sign of temper on a golf course for five years."

Montgomerie woke up on Sunday morning to be greeted by media reports attacking him for his behaviour after Saturday's round.

It was made even worse for the praise heaped on Tiger Woods.

Despite an 81 which destroyed his chances of becoming the first player to achieve the Grand Slam, he stopped and talked immediately after the worst round of his professional career.