Tom English: Monty's Augusta moan threatens to push him off course in Asia

Published on Saturday 12 April 2008 19:56

COLIN MONTGOMERIE'S cheery demeanour was absent from the field here at Augusta this week but that's not to say that the big man's presence was not felt about the place. His name came up from time to time, mostly when his three friends from Asia honed into view.

Whenever Jeev Milka Singh, Prayad Marksaeng and Liang Wen-Chong were spotted, thoughts of Monty came to mind. You'll remember that these three, with world rankings of 80, 93 and 111 respectively, were invited to the Masters ahead of the Scot, a snub that drew a predictable strop from golf's greatest thunderer. In his toys-out-of-the-pram way, Monty made it known he was not best pleased.

Monty thought that pandering to the biggest television markets (Asia in this instance) was a strange way in which to construct a field in a major championship. He reckoned if he was Chinese (what a thought!) then he would be playing this week. He accused the organisers of the Masters of siding with commerce over ability, of showing favouritism to players with giant television networks behind them.

Of course he's right, but only to a point. If Monty's current form was razor sharp then his bleating might have been met with more sympathy. If his recent track record at the Masters was respectable then he might have a strong case. But coming from a man who is a combined 31-over in his last eight rounds here and who hasn't made a cut in his last four attempts, his protestations were undermined ever so slightly.

But he went for it anyway.

"If I were the only person in the country, la China, I might get in," said Monty. "It would be easier to swallow if no one was invited and the entry list was based on sporting and not commercial criteria."

The rights and wrongs of it can be debated all night but what was interesting last week was to hear the ramifications of it. Or, at least, the potential ramifications.

Monty, you see, has a burgeoning golf course design business, from which he makes stacks of cash. His portfolio boasts a number of completed courses in China; Zhuhai Golden Gulf in Zhuhai, Haikou Meishi Mayflower International on Hainan Island and the Nanshan West Donghai on the coastal site of the Yellow Sea. He has another under design – the Liuxi Hot Spring Resort. You couldn't begin to quantify how much money he makes from the Chinese market in particular and the Asian market as a whole. On top of the income he derives from course architecture he often makes a five to six-figure sum to play in tournaments there. Many people in the golf world are doing nicely because of the growing popularity of the game in Asia and Monty is high up the list.

On Thursday I spoke to Liang Wen-Chong. Liang, you sense, is not the type to get angry about anything. He is softly spoken and has a warm, smiling face that suggests he's a nice sort of person, delighted to be here and happy to talk.

Mention Monty and he stiffens a bit. "From his comments I take motivation," he said. "This invitation from the Masters is something I appreciate and it is the kind of support we need in China, where we're trying to develop the game. People were disappointed and annoyed at what Colin said. Not just in China, in all of Asia."

He didn't stop there. "When Colin made that comment he had his reasons. It was a bit insulting. Should he apologise? I can't say if he should apologise or not but he's a grown man, eight time Order of Merit winner in Europe, he's not a kid so what he said he's responsible for and he has his reasons. I'm not going to be the one who asks him to apologise. He's the one who made the decision to come out and say that."

A week ago, the Thai, Marksaeng (who withdrew injured from the Masters on Friday) accused Monty of ignoring the Asian players on tour and during the week Skiv Kapur, the young Indian player, had a go of his own, all feeding the view that Monty has a growing image problem in what is currently one of his more lucrative markets. Kapur had this to say: "It's a clear case of sour grapes. Monty should zip his mouth and focus on his own game. He should try to qualify for the major, instead of blaming players like Jeev. He has done a lot for the game in the country. I can say that I am what I am because of players like him. Can you tell me what he (Monty] has done for Scotland?"

What of his course design work in China? Does Liang think that Monty has done his business some damage? "Well, I have a question for you," he replied. "If you're a boss and you spend your money to have Colin Montgomerie to design a golf course for you and you hear him saying these things, what would happen to your business? That's the way I would answer that question. I say again, Colin's not a kid and whatever he said he is responsible for."

There are few better at turning on the charm than Monty. When the mood strikes him he's a master at it. By the sounds of it, he has much schmoozing to do or else the loss of a place in the field at the Masters will be as nothing compared to the drop in revenue in a continent of infinite potential and wealth.

Split sporting loyalties end in smiles

ALASTAIR JOHNSTON, the non-executive director of Rangers and bigwig in the golf world, had split loyalties on Thursday. Pacing around under the big tree outside the clubhouse, Johnston was in two worlds; Augusta and Lisbon.

"How's it going?" we asked. "I'll tell you in a minute," he answered before sneaking his mobile phone out of his pocket and checking the update from Lisbon on the internet. Public use of mobile phones at Augusta National is a serious offence but desperate men do desperate things. It was 0-0 at that stage but we saw Johnston later.

If the winner today has as big a smile on his face we'd be surprised.

Nothing can keep Player off the greens. Eating them, that is

GARY PLAYER is a remarkable man – and not just for the reasons you might expect. Sure, this week has marked his 51st appearance in the Masters, a record that will take some beating, particularly since the 72-year-old intends to add at least another one before he packs it in.

No, Player is unique for another reason. Ask him any question you like and he will always, somehow, redirect it to his pet subject – diet, obesity and healthy living.

Last week I threw a variety of questions at him.

The threat of drugs in golf, the silence of Tiger Woods on racism and the raging violence in his native South Africa. Miraculously, all these topics were steered back to the importance of eating fish and vegetables and staying clear of the twin evils of ice cream and dairy products. Should football be afraid of visiting a dangerous South Africa, I asked.

"Let me tell you about danger," Player replied. "Danger is fatty foods. Danger is the global threat of the fried junk that is killing millions …"

On and on he went until he dropped the bombshell.

"I've got a book coming out about this." Ah, yes, the great self-promoter at work again.