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Monty splits with caddy

10/06/2007

Colin Montgomerie has split from his caddy one week before the start of the US Open at Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

Montgomerie decided to part ways with Alastair McLean after missing the cut at this week's Austrian Open by five shots.

McLean had been Monty's caddy for ten years before they parted company in 2002. After employing a number of other caddies the pair re-united in 2004, just before the Ryder Cup.

But the 43-year-old has not won a tournament since December 2005 and said last week he suspected "something had to change" and this has led to McLean's departure.

The Scot will now attempt to win his first major without the help of a regular caddy.

Montgomerie's manager, Guy Kinnings, said: "They have agreed to take a break, they needed to refresh things. Monty will probably hire a local this week who knows the course.

"I don't know what the long-term planning is but it is accurate to say they are not working together next week."

Monty came close to breaking his duck in a major the last time the US Open was held at Oakmont, eventually losing to Ernie Els after an 18-hole playoff in 1994.

But the eight-time European number one said he had good memories of the course and was looking forward to returning.

Montgomerie had felt his form was returning after a final round of 63 at Celtic Manor after seeing his world ranking slip as far as 39.

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