Getty Image / Warren Little
European golf legend Colin Montgomerie aka ‘Monty’ has been in the news this week after publicly saying he believes it is time for Tiger Woods to retire.
Naturally, Tiger Woods responded by putting Monty in a bodybag saying that as a former champion, which Colin Montgomerie is not, Tiger’s exempt until he is 60 years old and has the privilege of deciding when he retires, a privilege Monty never earned as his best Open Championship finish was 2nd place in 2005 to… you guessed it, Tiger Woods, who won at St. Andrews that year.
A few days prior to Colin Montgomery’s Tiger Woods comments, the Scotsman gave another interview with Rick Broadbent of The Times where he appeared to be calling out drinking culture in America as problematic while laying the foundation for excuses if/when Team Europe loses the 2025 Ryder Cup to Team USA at Bethpage Black.
So what about Bethpage Black next year? “God almighty!” he says. “We desperately need an away win in the Ryder Cup, but I don’t think it’s going to happen in New York. I don’t think we will be allowed to win there. Someone will come on and steal a golf ball or something. It’s a drinking culture in America.”
My dude, someone from the UK is simply not allowed to speak about problematic drinking culture. Our entire society doesn’t revolve around pub culture like it does across the pond.
And listen, I like Colin Montgomerie. I was fortunate enough to interview him last Summer and prior to Team USA’s loss in the Rome Ryder Cup after going into the event with the highest of expectations. He is a nice guy and has a great sense of humor. I suspect he was simply making a joke here and it doesn’t translate well to print but suggesting that Team Europe will lose because of drunk Americans cheating is a step too far.
Team USA is going to win because they are the better squad. It’s as simple as that. I’ll be there. Colin Montgomerie’s comments encouraged me to sign up for advance alerts to buy tickets, something I did just a few moments ago. I’ll be dressed head to toe in red, white, and blue and cheering so loud I lose my voice, as is the American way.