EUROPEAN TOUR:PHIL MICKELSON has made the trip to this scenic corner of Planet Golf, so too has Ernie Els, along with the brightest and the best of Europe, but when the first round of the Scottish Open starts today it is safe to assume the biggest galleries of the day will be those following the 8am three-ball featuring Colin Montgomerie.
The Scotsman is a much-loved figure in his homeland, just as he is a compelling figure for golf fans around the world who have followed a long career as colourful as anything the painter Jackson Pollock ever produced. There have been stunning victories, heartbreaking losses and more resurrections than in the New Testament.
A few weeks ago the eight-time European Order of Merit winner had dropped outside the top 100 of the world rankings, written off as a contender for major titles and adjudged a no-hoper in terms of the squad for the Ryder Cup.
A couple of decent efforts, including a second-place finish at last month's French Open, have not exactly silenced the doubters but have at least given them pause for thought. They have also put a spring in the old boy's step or, depending on taste, rekindled his insufferable self-importance.
"I am very close to playing the way I used to play. I had been unfortunate for a while, in that everything had been a real effort and I was thinking too much. Now everything is becoming much easier again and clearer. I am . . . trying to make a score as opposed to thinking about making a score," he said, reasonably enough.
Less reasonable, however, were his thoughts on the captaincy of the European Ryder Cup team in 2014, when the event will be staged in Scotland.
"I will do my best to play in 2010 and possibly in 2012," he said in response a question about his prospects of becoming captain. "Then do something else in 2014."
The implication was clear, just as the underlying presumption was outrageous. There are other candidates - Sandy Lyle being the most obvious - for the captaincy.
Of course Montgomerie's outspokenness is part of what makes him fascinating. Less acceptable, however, is his behaviour during last week's European Open in Kent, when he chided a Sky television sound man who wandered into his gaze as he lined up a shot.
"I am the reason you are here and don't you forget that," he said, a remark that drew a rebuke yesterday from Ewen Murray of Sky's commentary team: "When he boards the first tee he is akin to an angry incredible hulk."
Montgomerie seemed suitable chastened when confronted with his friend's comment, saying he intended to write a letter of apology to the sound man. "You know what I am like. I say these things on the spur of the moment. I don't mean them," he added.
This is no doubt true, just as there is little doubt there will be another such incident somewhere down the line. Perhaps the Scot should take lessons from Mickelson, who treats anyone who wanders across his path with unfailing courtesy. Yesterday he was the soul of diplomacy as he stated his intention to play his best golf this weekend: "I think the best way to prepare for next week's British Open is to play well and be sharp and be prepared for this week."
The Irish challenge at Loch Lomond is a strong one, led by Graeme McDowell and including Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Rory McIlroy and Gary Murphy.
Guardian Service
