Illinois, Jun 02: Colin Montgomerie has been given a sponsor's invitation to play this week's British Masters in order to get more tournament practice ahead of the US Open. This year's second major takes place at the Olympia Fields Country Club, Illinois, from 9-15 June.

Montgomerie had not planned to play in the Forest of Arden tournament and on Friday insisted missing the cut in the Wales Open would not harm his chances in America.
He had said last Wednesday that he had too many corporate commitments to have the time to play in the British Masters. However, Montgomerie has since changed his mind and his manager Guy Kinnings said on Sunday: "He felt he needed more competitive action after missing the cut in Wales, so he has accepted a sponsor's invitation to play.
"He will also fulfil all the corporate engagements he had pencilled in for the week."
Montgomerie, who has recently slipped out of the top 20 in the world rankings, has twice finished runner-up in the US Open, coming in behind Ernie Els in 1994 and 1997.



The big Scot did not fare well at this year's first major, failing to make the cut at the Masters after rounds of 78 and 76.

Bureau Report