Monty will miss Congressional where he nearly won in 1997

I am watching the Italian Open this morning, where Matteo Manessero is currently thrilling his fans leading at -5, as the afternoon flight is setting off.

Colin Montgomerie  has never been my favourite guy, but definitely earned all of our respect. Stuffy, yes, arrogant, yes, snobbish, yes, cranky whiner, yes. on the other hand he is and always will be the 8 time Order of Merit winner, a Ryder Cup star and of course winning captain, he will be knighted Sir Colin Montgomerie one day soon.

He has just shot 75 continues to struggle with his game, and as always his weight, but although he has not qualified for the US Open,it got me thinking about how good he was, and of course his record in the majors..

He will always be known around the world as the greatest player never to win a major and with the US Open at Congressional next week about to start without Monty in the field, I remember he certainly was a major player the last time it was held there in 1997.

1997 US Open @ Congressional
1st Ernie Els 276   2nd Colin Montgomerie 277

The 17th at Congressional, which this year will be the 18th, would play a pivotal role in this 1997 US Open..

Tom Lehman was the third round leader by 2 but by the time they got to the 11th on Sunday, Lehman, Els thanks to that long chip in on 10 you might remember, Maggert and Monty were all tied at -4. Maggert 3 putted 13 to drop out. Lehman made bogey at 16, then at 17 when he hit it into the water to drop out.

On the fateful 17th Ernie drilled a 5 iron to 8 feet and made par, but Monty, distracted by the crowd,finally settled over a 5 footer for par and missed.

Now needing birdie on 18 for the playoff, he missed his 25 footer while Ernie made par to become the champion.You may remember Monty finding a roped off area where he walked to and broke down and cried.

He may not have won a major but he certainly had his chances..

He had already been 3rd at the 1992 U.S.Open at Pebble, then lost to Ernie again at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont where he was part of 3 way 18 hole playoff with Ernie and Loren Roberts. Monty was +7 in that playoff, and eliminated from extra holes which Ernie won with par to Roberts bogey on the 20th..

Don't forget he lost the 1995 PGA at Riviera to Steve Elkington. Elkington started the final round six strokes behind Els while Monty was five back. Elkington shot 64 and Monty 65 to catch and pass Ernie and tie at -17, 267

On the first playoff hole, Elkington rolled in a 25-foot putt for birdie, then Monty missed a 20-footer. Steve Elkington was the 1995 PGA Championship winner. Els and Maggert tied for third. Monty was the bridesmaid again

Then there was the 2005 Open Championship at St Andrews
Monty had the crowds behind him at the home of golf and his 66 on Friday got him in contention with Tiger, but he started 3 behind Tiger on Sunday and in those days Tiger did not cough up 3 shot leads, especially in a major.. Monty finished at -9 to Tiger's -14..... 2nd again..

Then finally the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot ...
This is the tourney where Phil Mickelson stood on the 18th tee at +4, which along with Monty was good for a one shot lead. He needed a par to win, even a bogey would make an 18-hole playoff on Monday. By now you know he drove it 80 yards left, off a tent, tried a miracle recovery, ended up with a double to end his chances
Monty meanwhile, stood on that 18th tee tied with Mickelson for the lead. Again, par for the win, bogey for a playoff with Ogilvy, long since finished at +3.

He split the fairway with his drive and had only 7 iron in. He pushed in wide right into thick US Open rough, got on and 3 putted for an equally destructive double bogey 6, gifting the title he would never win to the Aussie..
This is as difficult as it gets," said Monty "You wonder sometimes why you put yourself through this."

His 3 second place finishes at the US Open are one short of the record. The four-time runners-up include Bobby Jones, AP and Jack,Snead and Mickelson
You would have thought good golfing fortune would have gone his way in any of those opportunities, a putt dropped here, a chip in there, but it never did, now it seems it never will..

I will miss watching him at Congressional next week, and at Royal St Georges in July, always hoping that some Greg Norman at Carnoustie style magic would return in the twilight of his glittering career, a career that is only flawed by that elusive major championship..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles