You are in > manchester.com  > News > Monty "messed up" US Open

Golf

Monty "messed up" US Open

19/06/2006

Colin Montgomerie admitted he had "messed up" after throwing away a shot at the US Open title in New York yesterday.

As he reached the 18th hole on the last day at Winged Foot, the Scot was on the brink of a first major title, leading by one from the eventual Australian winner Geoff Ogilvy.

Having holed a 60-foot putt for birdie on the 17th, the 42-year-old looked odds on to finally get his hands on a major.

However, an ugly second shot at the final hole, when he misjudged the club, followed by a rash putt left Monty with a double-bogey which put him out of the running.

It was seen by many as his last chance to shed the tag of being the best player to never win a major, with the European admitting he felt this time it had been his own fault.

"It's the first time I've really messed up. My other chances other people have done well, this is the first time I've really messed up," he said.

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson also suffered a dramatic collapse, with the American also missing out on the par at the final hole that would have brought him victory.

Describing himself as an "idiot" the left-hander said he was still stunned by throwing away the win after a sliced tee shot went wide towards the hospitality tents, only to find himself in a bunker as he approached the green.

The twin collapses left 29-year-old Ogilvy to claim the honours at five-over-par.

Monty has now come close to winning the US Open on four occasions, missing out in 1992, 1994 and 1997.

© Adfero Ltd