London, May 05: In more ways than one, though, Colin Montgomerie could do with an early return to tournament golf.
Quite apart from providing a welcome distraction from the anguish of a breaking marriage, competitive play could help him stay in the world's top 50, where he needs to be to avoid having to qualify for this year's US and British Opens.
He is also outside the automatic top 10 in the European Ryder Cup standings and, if that situation continues, would have to bank on a wildcard pick for Oakland Hills by European captain Bernhard Langer.
''I always thought he would play his way on to the team and, hopefully, he will,'' Langer told reporters earlier this year. ''He's only 40 years old -- there's no way he's over the hill.
''I'd love for him to be on the team as a senior player.''



All this presupposes Montgomerie remains committed to playing in a seventh Ryder Cup, and the odds are that even he is unsure as he comes to terms with the end of his 14-year marriage.


Bureau Report