Monty - has been or hero?

[birdieman]

I see Monty at +5 through 11 holes at Oakmont, as I predicted on another post it looks like he'll miss the cut.
I expect he will start berating spectators any time now and give them the famous Monty glower at the same time giving up. Surely this man is finished as a competitive golfer, even if he doesn't believe it himself? Very nearly 44 and in awful physical shape for a so called athlete.
His time has come and gone and no matter how many European order of merit titles he has, he will not go down as an all time great, just a one time good iron player, in my humble opinion. Discuss...

 

[Atticus_Finch]

It seems strange that everyone gets worked up into such a lather about Monty. If he was such a loser he wouldn't attract as much attention whenever he fails. The facts are, the mans a winner. That's right, A WINNER!
With 8 order of merits, 38 tournament wins, an outstanding record in the Ryder Cup and 10 top ten finished in majors(including 5 second places).
I reckon if you ask any of the youger players these days, a lot of them would take Monty's record right now.
Probably got about £30-40M in the bank as well.
Wish I was a loser like Monty.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

So I guess you could say I regard him as a "Hero"

 

[John_Findlay]

Absolutely. He's a hero. (And this is from a man who put £50 each way on him after the 3rd round of last years US Open....so I have reason to berate him)

He does have his faults as a golfer but I so wish him that Major he deserves. Nicklaus was more of a spent force at 44 than Monty is now. He hadn't been a force in Majors in 6 years when he won his last Masters. Do you think he was a hero or a has-been? Monty has been runner up in 2 Majors in the last 2 years. Most of the European young guns would take that.

And as far as the Ryder Cup goes..well..I shouldn't even need to put forward a case. Only Seve compared as a European who can put such fear into the Americans

Don't write him off quite yet. He carded a 76 the year he lost the playoff to Ernie. He'll make the cut (hopefully).

 

[birdieman]

Quite a bit of support then for the 'Pillsbury Doughboy', as my father in law calls him. Re the Ryder Cup he always plays one of the lesser lights in singles, can you remember any of his singles opponents, I can't. Monty's spin machine goes on about order of merits but the fact that at least 8 of the best 10 players in the world always play the USPGA tour surely that belittles his order of merits achievements. The order of merit is not a way to compare players, eg say Monty plays 20 events and Goosen only plays 10 events in Europe and of couse Monty finishes higher on the order of merit - what does that say other than he played more events. Monty's 5 runner ups in Majors and his 30 odd European Tour wins is a far more important stat.
He's no hero in my book- the way he drops the putter and holds his head in his hands at the 04 Ryder Cup is cringeworthy. The gummy smile and the hopeless optimism generally followed by calamity make him great entertainment however! Calling Monty Mrs Doubtfire was a bit nasty but a priceless quip by Mr Feherty.

 

[muttleee]

Monty has been runner up in 2 Majors in the last 2 years. Most of the European young guns would take that.

That's the problem with the young guns...they're happy to finish second!

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Now that you mention Mr Feherty. That man is not fit to lace Monty's Footjoys. He was a washed up never has been at 40. After winning relatively nothing in his career, he has the gall to sit in the studio critisizing other people's swings and insulting them with stupid nicknames! I detest the man.

 

[birdieman]

atticus, sorry you detest Feherty, personally I quite enjoy his witty repertoire, I like the Cobra ads he does too. Perhaps Feherty realised he was making up the numbers as a pro, realised his limitations and carved out a good career as a punter on US tv, I think he's done quite well. Remember you dont have to be a great player to be a great teacher or analyst - Harmon, Leadbetter, Pelz etc. The pros should be able to take some criticism, Woods got quite snooty at Faldo for picking faults with his swing when he went through his poor spell 03-04, I think Faldo was correct in his analysis and that's what he's paid to do. I like watching the slow-mo's with experts showing us what is wrong with players swings, it's a good way to learn.
Anyway good to see Dougherty up top, let's hope he can stay there!

 

[Greenkeeper]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Monty, I can honestly say Monty is a favorite of mine, a true gentleman with a great sense of humor.
His achievements have been massive apart from that allusive Major title. Nevertheless he is still a UK golfing treasure

 

[birdieman]

Greenkeeper, you are lucky, my neighbour saw him at Glasgow airport and said politely 'Hello Colin' which was reciprocated by Montgomerie with one of his famous glowers -he seems to me to be a rude man who acts like an immature spoilt brat more often than not.

 

[madandra]

HERO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brendy]

He was a bit of a hero, but now hes a bit of an enigma..
Hes a man, but hes got tits. I reckon pete burns is green with envy.
Seriously though, if he took a few months out and worked hard on his game intensely and had some reprogramming of his atttude to golf, it might pay dividends.

 

[John_Findlay]

Oh..not his again. He may only be able to hit the ball 70% of the distance of the "new boys" but he's still the best iron player in the world. Get a grip, guys. Course he's a hero.....overweight or not!

 

[happyhacker]

Have to say, Hero!

Had dinner at the table next to him at the Bellfry this year during the British Masters. We had a wee chat in the bar after, his dad was there too, and have to say very nice bloke and very personable.

I know he has a reputation as surly, but from the chat we had and then him joking next day by one of the Par3 greens I can't fault him.

 

[BunkerMentality123]

As a golfer I have always had a soft spot for old Monty, however when my 10yr old asked him for an autograph at Wentworth last yr he actually pushed him over as he walked passed......
As you can imagine he went down in my estimations after that.....
I know the pro's get pestered at these events, but Darren Clark, Lee Westwood, Ernie etc all took the time to sign his brochure and Lee Westwood and Luke Donald even gave him their golf balls as they came off the 18th and stopped and had a little chat.

I have to admit that Ernie is my all time favourite and when we chatted with him on the same day I was like a star struck child. LEGEND!!!!