August1 Monty

Colin Montgomerie says that the success of the recent Open Championship at Carnoustie dampened the potentially damaging comments made by Gary Player just days before the tournament.

The South African stated that he knew for a fact that some golfers were using performance-enhancing drugs, but the nine-time Major winner declined to name names.

Montgomerie believes the comments were potentially damaging for the event, and told Sky Sports: “I was as shocked about that statement as anyone. You cannot say that sort of thing without naming names. The R&A were very upset by the statement, we all were.

“It was potentially damaging for the tournament; I’m glad it (The Open) came out on top.”

Irishman Padraig Harrington eventually won the tournament after a play-off with Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

Picture by Getty Images

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