Montgomerie behind early on
Colin Montgomerie immediately fell behind when he began his HSBC World Match Play quarter-final at Wentworth today.
Level or better throughout his opening-day victory over Ryder Cup teammate David Howell, the 1999 winner took on defending champion Michael Campbell and the New Zealander sank an eight-foot birdie putt on the opening green.
There was a touch of good fortune involved, however. Campbell’s three-iron approach was heading left, but kicked off a slope back towards the flag.
Montgomerie, a four-time winner on the West Course, was in danger of going two down at the third, but he saved par and a half there after missing the green.
Behind them, Paul Casey – impressive conqueror of Retief Goosen in his maiden match in the event – shared the first two holes with Canadian left-hander Mike Weir, but had to make a 10-footer on the first after coming up short of the green.
There was a European Ryder Cup player involved in each of the four games. After beating world number two Jim Furyk, Swede Robert Karlsson turned his attentions to Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, while Luke Donald faced Tiger Woods’ conqueror Shaun Micheel.
Karlsson and Cabrera shared the first hole in bogey fives.
The exit of Woods and Furyk – the top two players in the game – plus six-time winner Ernie Els to Cabrera, had opened up the race for the £1million first prize – the biggest pay-day in golf.
