Jack who? Monty's answer to Vettriano

Published on Thursday 30 October 2008 21:10

IT IS a bizarre war of words, even by the standards of two of Scotland's most outspoken personalities.

Colin Montgomerie may have been wounded by the personal attacks unleashed on him by artist Jack Vettriano.

But if he was, he certainly is not letting on. In fact, he is denying any knowledge of the top-selling painter.

Montgomerie, known universally to his fans as Monty, yesterday shrugged off claims by the Fife-born artist that he had turned down the chance to paint the sporting idol's portrait. Vettriano has said: "I don't do men with breasts."

Montgomerie had at first kept a dignified silence when Vettriano's comments were revealed by The Scotsman earlier this week, preferring to focus on the build-up to the Volvo Masters, in Valderrama, Spain.

However, yesterday the golfer's agent, Guy Kinnings, said: "Colin just laughed about it. He doesn't know who the guy is but he was surprised by what he said. He does tend to laugh at these things. He is more interested in focusing on his golf."

Vettriano has famously been shunned by Britain's artistic establishment despite the huge success of his paintings.

The National Galleries of Scotland has refused to buy any of his work, but earlier this week the artist told an audience at a personal appearance that his dealer had been approached by NGS officials asking if he would consider a portrait of Montgomerie.

Gallery chiefs insist no official approach was ever made over a Montgomerie portrait.

Of Vettriano, Mr Kinnings added: "I think the gentleman has been rather rude.

"It seems a very rude thing for him to have said about someone he doesn't know and about someone who is such a popular ambassador for Scotland."