Monday, June 19, 2006

Former A-Sun golf champion and 1985 Player of the Year Colin Montgomerie placed second at the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. It was the third career runner-up showing for Montgomerie at the event. PGATour.com Melanie Hauser profiled Montgomerie following his first round.

And any redness in those cheeks? It’s from laughing, not harrumphing.

No sign of the old chip once attached to his shoulder; no sonar beam sweeping the crowds searching for a source of irritation.

Meet the 42-year-old Monty. He laughs with you and at himself. He plays to his crowd. He’s affable, not the least bit surly. At least today. He’s mature, composed and – did we mention? – the only player under par halfway through the first round of this 106th U.S. Open.

Colin Montgomerie. The Scot whose major championship was always slip-sliding away. The man whose major became his brilliance at the Ryder Cup. The man who surprised us all by giving chase to Tiger Woods at St. Andrews last summer.