London, May 05: Ever since he joined the professional ranks in 1988 and became the European Rookie of the Year, Colin Montgomerie has been convinced that only 100 percent dedication would suffice if he wanted to realise all his golfing ambitions.
That single-minded focus helped him clinch a record seven consecutive European Order of Merit titles between 1993 and 1999, but it has also cost him his marriage.
In his autobiography 'The Full Monty', Montgomerie admitted his obsession with the game had come at a price.
''What was happening was, little by little, golf was taking over,'' he wrote. ''I was bringing my golf home and even when I was there, I wasn't giving as much attention to Eimear and the children as I should have done.
''I was constantly thinking of something else. I wasn't a proper husband or a proper father. It almost broke my life.''



That episode led to a brief split with his wife in 2000. Their latest break up, however, appears to be terminal.



In January, Montgomerie told reporters he was determined to be at Oakland Hills in September.



''I really want to make it into the Ryder Cup team on my own merit and I have been working, and will continue to work, very hard to ensure that this is the case,'' he said.



''Last year was not a good year at all by my standards and I was very disappointed that my world ranking dropped so much.



''My win in Singapore in March meant an awful lot to me – it meant confidence.



''I lost confidence last year but I have it back now,'' added the Briton, who was a talismanic figure for the victorious Europeans in the 2002 Ryder Cup at the Belfry.



Europe could certainly do with a fully focused Montgomerie at this year's Ryder Cup. Only time will tell if that is possible.


Bureau Report