COLIN MONTGOMERIE made an emotional goodbye to the “empty” grandstands as he admitted this could be his final Open at Troon.
The hometown hero shot a five-over-par 76 in under three hours to finish near the bottom of the pack on 17 over.
It is not yet clear when Monty’s home course will next be on the Open rota.
Royal Portrush is confirmed for 2019 and St Andrews is likely to continue its run of hosting every five years.
That means it could be another ten years from now before Troon returns, by which time Monty will be 63.
And he admitted he could well be past it by then.
Montgomerie said: “You’ve got to be realistic and think that it might well be the last time I’m here at an Open.
“I’d love to think it won’t be, but it might well be. It’s good to finish with six pars there. Good to hit a nice four-iron into the last hole and have a chance at birdie and finish off.
“Just a shame I was on my own because the stands were empty, really. And it was a pity.
“I’d love to play in the middle of the pack where the stands are beginning to become full, and that would have been more emotional, possibly than it was when they’re empty.
“But I got a good ovation, anyway, which was super from the following crowd that were walking around with the group.”
Leave a comment