GOLF/Accenture Matchplay Championship: Colin Montgomerie, who was heckled by fans in his first-round match at the Accenture Matchplay Championship, says he probably isn't going to play any more tournaments in the US after this year.
"I'll be 39 in June, I just don't need this anymore," said Montgomerie, who lost 2 and 1 to Scott McCarron in Wednesday's match at La Costa. Montgomerie said he was heckled on several occasions during the match, including an incident on the 12th hole when he was cheered after missing a putt.
Montgomerie also said he was heckled about his weight and about how he was enjoying the outcome of the match. "All the usual material," Montgomerie said.
"Without turning around, I knew I could accurately predict the appearance of these kinds of fans: shorts, tennis shoes, T-shirt, cap on backward, holding a beer. I was correct."
McCarron, however, thinks Montgomerie over-reacted. "The whole thing has been blown out of proportion," he said. "There was only one guy who stifled a yell when Colin missed his putt at the 12th. And that was it."
Montgomerie, the seven-time leading money winner on the European Tour and four-time European Tour player of the year, has won 26 tournaments, but none in the US, where he plays sparingly. Soon, he might not be playing at all.
Montgomerie, who flew home to London on Thursday, is supposed to play next in the US at Bay Hill. He said he probably will honour his playing commitments in the US for the rest of the year, but is probably not coming back in 2003. Henry Hughes, the PGA's senior vice president and chief of operations, hopes Montgomerie reconsiders.
"He has many fans in this country who appreciate his skill and achievements," Hughes said. "We certainly hope that, upon reflection, Colin elects to keep selected US appearances on his schedule."
Montgomerie also indicated his ban on playing any tournaments in the US would include major championships, including the Masters, PGA Championship and US Open. "No offence to Scott McCarron, but if this is happening to me in the first round of a tournament in such a low-key setting, what would happen to me on the 17th hole of a major?" he said.
"Would I even be allowed to take back the club? Would someone run across the green and snatch my ball away from me?" Montgomerie played only seven PGA Tour events in 2001. His best result was a tie for fourth at the NEC Invitational.