Golf-Woods will find it tough to focus on his return, says Monty (Reuters)
January 1, 2010
By Tony Jimenez
LONDON, Jan 1 (Reuters) – Tiger Woods will find it almostimpossible to fully focus on his golf when he returns after therecent revelations over his private life, according to EuropeanRyder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.
The eight-times European number one went through amuch-publicised divorce in 2006 and knows how pressures off thecourse can affect performance on it.
Woods has taken an indefinite break from golf following amedia storm that culminated in the world number one publiclyadmitting being unfaithful to his wife.
“It is absolutely impossible to play good golf (with allthat going on),” said Montgomerie in an interview with SkySports.
“There was a reason why Tiger didn’t win a major last year,the first year for a long time. We now understand possibly thereasons why.
“I can only speak for myself and say during a time like thatyou can just about make it to the next tee if you make a birdieor a par but with a bogey the world collapses around you,” addedthe 46-year-old Briton.
Montgomerie said negative thoughts about his own privatelife were difficult to shrug off when he was going throughturmoil.
“A round of golf is an emotional roller-coaster anyway,”said the Scot. “I think it must have been similar for him.
“When you hit a shot and it goes left or right into thewoods, immediately thoughts creep in during the long, two tothree-minute walk to find the ball.
“It (the scandal) will impact on every tournament Tigerplays. Let’s hope the tabloid press finish quickly and we get onsupporting golf.”
MYSTIQUE GONE
Montgomerie is one of the few top players to comment on theWoods situation since allegations about the 14-times majorwinner’s private life surfaced after he was involved in a minorcar accident outside his home in November.
“I think the mystique has gone,” said the Ryder Cup skipper.“I think the mysterious nature of the guy has gone. “He is suddenly, you hate to say, more normal now. Let’shope golf isn’t damaged by that.
“There is no question there was an aura about Tiger Woodsover this incredible record he has, not just in majors but inother world events.
“That wall has been split slightly and there are cracks. Itgives us more opportunity to find ways of winning these eventsnow and I am thinking of myself as well as my peers.”
Montgomerie said golfers everywhere were appreciative ofWoods’s impact on the sport.
“I think it is like Arnold Palmer for the American tour inthe past and Seve Ballesteros for us in Europe,” he said. “Weare playing for the money we are today because of those twoplayers.
“With Tiger he became a global ambassador for golf,therefore the whole world of golf benefited from Tiger.
“We in Europe have benefited, as Asia has, as Australia has,as South Africa has, as America has. It is a great debt to himthat we are playing and sponsorship is as strong as it is ingolf right now.” (Editing by Sonia Oxley To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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