Golfers you hate or dislike

1. Stewart Cink - This annoying 'bald' man cannot be forgiven for denying Tom Watson Or Lee Westwood a Major Championship. He must be the most dislikeable man in golf.

2. Jim Furyk - Another annoying 'bald' man, Jim is surely one of the most annoying golfers of all time, the 5 steps back before he putts out routine is ridiculous. Who can stand Jim Furyk?

3. Dustin Johnson, yeah do he can hit the ball miles, but he must be one of the most boring men in golf, lets hope he cannot win the USPGA.

4. Monty. A moody and unfaithful man, who blames everything except himself for his failings; a trait which i despise. Has underachieved for years by not winning a major.

5. Sergio Garcia. Over-rated golfer with a temper, whose popularity is based solely on one major performance (his duel with Tiger) and his Ryder cup performances. Tinkers way too much with his swing, shows he does not have the mentality to win big.

Will Faldo's innovation be carried on?

It was interesting to see among the many celebrations after a wonderful Ryder cup triumph that many people, players, pundits and fans alike, could not resist having a pop at Faldo and his captaincy at Valhalla. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this criticism, it was disappointing that Monty could not acknowledge the one innovation Faldo made (I am fairly sure no one has done it before,) and which served Monty in two ways.

The innovation I am talking of was to invite a promising newcomer who had not quite made the team to "observe" the procedeedings and gain experience for the next one. This helped Monty in that the recipient of Faldo's invitation, Martin Kaymer, who was much better prepared for this year's competition (he has acknowledged this) and it also paved the way for him to invite Rhys Davies to Celtic Manor. It was sad that amongst the criticsm of Faldo Monty could not praise a good idea, which he had borrowed.

Moving on to Chicago I can see very few rookies in the European team, with the possible exception of Rhys. If you look at the World Rankings you will see that the top sixteen Europeans have all played in the Ryder Cup, so competition next time round will be even more fierce, especially if people like Garcia, Wilson and
Stenson rediscover their form.

My prediction therefore for the Faldo invitation (as I hope it will now be named) is definitely Matteo Manassero. I doubt whether he will be ready for his debut in two years, (although you never know), and to take him as an observer would be a perfect preparation for Gleneagles and future appearances in the States.

Got any nominations?

What Next for Colin Montgomerie?

Colin Montgomerie has made a good decision by standing down as European Ryder Cup captain. Drama like this year comes infrequently and he knows how much grief he would have got for his selections if his team had gained just 1/2 a point less - the margins between genius and clod were narrow and, as he has said, outside his hands once play started (there is a case for saying that a Captain really proves his mettle in a close contest, others say that it was only close because of some of his errors - in truth we don't know). Whatever the truth, Monty in the States in 2012 as a media focus who can't escape by playing might have been an accident waiting to happen. The US team have shown that they 'get' the Ryder Cup and they will be a tougher proposition over there on and off the course, I'm sure.

Maybe he will be able to eke out another year of decent play on tour with all that palava behind him - he was pretty good as recently as 2006 and he should be a whole lot calmer now. Barring an absoulte miracle it's pretty clear that he had his last two chances at a Major in 2005-2006 and he's reconciled to going without now - after the ups and downs of his (successful but lopsided) career it must be a nice feeling that he's got nothing more to prove in Golf. You kind of feel that the whole of the last 10 or so years of his career, when it began to look as though he would most likely not get that elusive Major, was building up to this moment.

It will be interesting to see if he goes and plays on the Seniors Tour (only 3 years away) where he might well pick up a few Seniors Majors - I'd like that.

I still find him a slightly ridiculous (if entertaining) figure, but it's only fair to reflect that he's done extremely well this cup, he's worked very hard - it's clear that from his side the arrangements have been excellent and made the players feel relaxed and happy and part of a team who want to go out and play for each other (and him). It's impressive that his players speak so highly of him - although a win tends to rose-tint most things.

What next for Montgomerie then - he may have a bit of a repair job to do with his 2nd Marriage after whatever it was that caused him to get a 'super injunction', but away from that he lives for golf and I hope that we see him involved publicly in some capacity (as opposed to less visibly on the corporate circuit and with golf design). Maybe as a commentator in time - he's far from unintelligent, he's articulate, he thinks about what's going on and and he expresses himself forcefully and clearly without collapsing in to cliche-speak. Now that he is properly away from the arena of needing to prove himself on or off the course, he may be able to be more relaxed without any axe to grind or grudge to avoid.

Even those who are not big fans of him like myself need to acknowledge his achievements in the game and that the Golfing world would be a more dreary place without him being visible in some capacity or other.

Sandy Lyle calls Monty a drama queen as well as a cheat

The war of words between sullen Scots Sandy Lyle and Colin Mongomerie continues to rumble on with Lyle now accusing "chubs" Montgomerie of being a "drama queen".

"We sometimes call him a bit of a drama queen. He's probably milking it a bit" Lyle said.

Montgomerie was furious over Lyle dredging old news regarding his blatant cheating in what was tiresomely dubbed "Jakartagate" by the press. Basically Monty moved his ball - see damning video evidence here.

"Colin has nothing to add and wants to distance himself from any issues Sandy has," Monty's manager stated.

"He can't, nor will he, get involved in this sort of thing. He just wants to get on with his golf. People say there is bickering going on but bickering requires two people.

"Colin can't quite understand why he is being dragged into this."

I've never been a lover of Monty - his attitude to fans and press, his arrogance despite never winning a major and his fat belly upsets me. He's a poster boy for a bygone era of golfers who thought gym was the guy who cut their grass.

But dear old Sandy is a cantankerous fellow. Obviously overlooked for Ryder Cup captain as most of the players can't stand him so what does he do? Goes and upsets more of them and distances himself further. He'll now never be captain of the European team.

"I've tried to talk to him but I don't think he wants to talk to me right now."

I don't blame him Sandy, not one bit.

Monty hits shot of year; nails paparazzi

Usually miserable and grumpy Colin Montgomerie showed he had a sense of humour yesterday - by bagging him some fresh snapper.

The pictures (courtesy of The Daily Mail - a paper which should be erased from existence, 1984 style) tell the story. Monty lines up a shot and cheers as he appears to hit the boat. Hopefully he knocked one of their eyes out.

Ten best rounds in the British Open Championship

1. Paul Broadhurst, St Andrews, 1990
Broadhurst was the first player to shoot 63, a feat that has never been bettered.

2. Greg Norman, Turnberry, 1986
A course record 63 on Friday set Norman up for his first Open.

3. Paul Lawrie, Carnoustie, 1999
Many forget Lawrie hit an excellent 67 in awful conditions to make up a 10 shot deficit. That's because Jean Van De Velde self-destructed in front of the gallery, and even got his feet wet.

4. Jodie Mudd, Royal Birkdale, 1991
So nearly a 62, Mudd missed a 20 footer at the last to card an impressive 63.

5. Isao Aoki, Muirfield, 1980
Aoki break the course record set hours earlier with a stunning 63.

6. Ian Baker-Finch, Royal Birkdale, 1991
A third round 64 helped the Australian to a surprise victory.

7. Jack Newton, Carnoustie, 1975
Newton fired a course record 65 but lost to Tom Watson in a play-off.

8. Tiger Woods, Royal Troon, 1997
In his second performance at The Open, a young Woods carded an impressive 64 and got himself into the mix. Though he didn't win the trophy, he won many fans and headlines alike. It remains Woods' best round at The Open.

9. Tom Watson, Turnberry 1994
A second round 65 gave the 44-year-old Watson the half-way lead.

10. Colin Montgomerie, Royal Lytham & St Annes, 2001
The Scot hit 65 for a lead of three shots in the opening round but still failed to win the Claret Jug.

Monty's fall from grace

Poor old Monty didn't just miss the cut at Oakland Hills, he crashed out and equalled his worst ever round at a major championship - 84. He had previously shot the same score in appalling conditions at Muirfield in 2002 and stated: "That's the most difficult day since my poor score at Muirfield in 2002 – but the conditions added to that one,"

"Unfortunately, it was a reasonably good day today.

"I got off to a bad start and kept it going. When you get on a bogey run around here it’s very difficult to get off it. The course is very, very severe."

Montgomerie was instrumental in Europe's success at this course in 2004 but looked a shadow of his former self. Well actually he looked pretty porky, but you get what we mean.

Always ready to berate a reporter, the cantankerous Scot took exception to one reporter who chuckled at one of his answers: "Make that your last laugh".

We feel the last laugh was anyone's but Montgomerie's.