Rory McIlroy wrong not to play before Open, says Colin Montgomerie

Colin Montgomerie believes it would have been in Rory McIlroy's best interest to play an event before next week's Open at Sandwich.

Golf's newest superstar decided to take three weeks off after his amazing eight-shot victory at the US Open last month.

"I can understand two out of three, but I would like to have seen him play a competitive tournament between the two majors," said Montgomerie yesterday.

"He's so natural I don't think there are any fears about his game, but it's the locker room - there are going to be so many people wanting to congratulate him.

"Whether it was the French or the Scottish Open he could have got that out of his system and out of the way so he can start the Open afresh.

"Now he's got that ahead of him and on the first tee I think he will be mentally tired - but who am I to say?"

Montgomerie, of course, has never won a major and as things stand he is not even in the field next week - his last opportunity is to finish in the top five at Castle Stuart near Inverness this week.

"I hope he does well - of course I do - and I think he will contend," added the Scot.

Montgomerie was in London yesterday with Padraig Harrington launching what is called the "HSBC Ultimate Open 18" - their choice of a course pulled together from all nine courses currently on the Open Championship rota.

On McIlroy's build-up to the event, Harrington said he could see pros and cons for his chosen approach, but agreed with Montgomerie on what the 22-year-old is going to have to deal with upon his arrival in Kent. "When you've won and you go to your next tournament there are 155 other players and 155 other caddies who want to say 'Well done'."

Harrington, winner at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008, has changed his own preparation this year to take in the Barclays Scottish Open.

That is because it has switched from the inland Loch Lomond to a links course.

As for their choice of Open holes, after much debate the pair came up with the following combination:

1st: St Andrews, 376yds, par 4

2nd: Birkdale, 421yds, par 4

3rd: Carnoustie, 361yds, par 4

4th: St Andrews, 480yds, par 4

5th: Carnoustie, 392yds, par 4

6th: Carnoustie, 512yds, par 5

7th: Birkdale, 177yds, par 3

8th: Troon, 123yds, par 3

9th: Turnberry, 449yds, par 4

10th: Muirfield, 475yds, par 4

11th: Troon, 490yds, par 4

12th: Birkdale, 183yds, par 3

13th: Birkdale 498yds, par 4

14th: St Andrews, 618yds, par 5

15th: St George's, 496yds, par 4

16th: Carnoustie, 245yds, par 3

17th: St Andrews 495yds, par 4

18th: Muirfield, 473yds, par 4