Jun11 Monty sacks caddie

Colin Montgomerie has split with his caddy just days before the US Open at Oakmont.

It is understood the decision was made on Friday evening after the eight-time European number one missed the halfway cut in the Austrian Open by five.

Montgomerie and Alastair McLean initially worked together for 10 years until their first split in May 2002, reuniting in August 2004 just before the Scot was given a wild card for the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.

The 43-year-old went through numerous different caddies in their time apart, even being accused of “poaching” Andy Prodger from his Ryder Cup team-mate Phil Price.

Despite his reputation as a hard taskmaster, there will be plenty willing to work for Montgomerie, although it is thought he may hire a local caddy at Oakmont next week, where he lost a play-off with Ernie Els and Loren Roberts for the 2004 US Open.

Never in contention after a front nine of 42, Montgomerie could only manage a 78 in the play-off which Els eventually won on the 20th hole, but asked if that is what he remembered most, the Ryder Cup star said: “No, I remember not losing over 72 holes.”

Montgomerie has not won a tournament since December 2005 in Hong Kong and the 43-year-old admitted “something had to change” after a third-round 72, three over par, sent him crashing out of contention in last week’s Wales Open.

A closing 63 at Celtic Manor seemed enough to lift the storm clouds overhead and he arrived in Vienna in upbeat mood, insisting: “I am getting my game back.

“There is no question that the dark, dark days of this year are over and I’m getting back to putting scores together as opposed to thinking about it.”

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.