Colin Montgomerie was certainly not the most popular player in America during his time in the game.
The American fans never warmed to Montgomerie and it’s fair to say that his fellow pros didn’t either.
Aside from his success after turning 50 on the PGA Tour Champions, the 62-year-old never won a major, nor did he record a victory in the United States.
In spite of that, Montgomerie was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame back in 2013, alongside Fred Couples.
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Many disagreed with his induction but Gary Player was one of Monty’s fiercest supporters.
“I think they’re very deserving,“ Player said.
“Colin led the European Tour money list eight times. Will we ever see that again? And Freddie is a very fine representative of golf in addition to being a terrific player.
“There are guys in the Hall of Fame who didn’t win majors. Chi Chi [Rodriguez] didn’t win a major. [Isao] Aoki didn’t win a major. Is that the criteria now, that you have to have won a major? I’m very happy to see both of those guys go in. They really deserve it.“
However, the Scot had plenty of detractors as well…
Fred Funk called Colin Montgomerie ‘the biggest jerk in the world’
It was in 1997 when PGA Tour player Fred Funk made it very clear just how unhappy he was with Montgomerie.
“He’s the jerk in the world as far as I’m concerned, and you can write that down because when I see him I’ll tell him to his face.”
Those were some stern words from Funk.
The Ryder Cup at Valderrama was just about to get underway.
Europe had just turned the tables on the United States after winning the 1995 Ryder Cup at Oak Hill Country Club in dramatic fashion.
And it was clear to see that the Europeans did not want to relinquish the trophy in Spain two years later, as the mind games began in the build-up to the competition.
What Colin Montgomerie said that angered Funk so badly
Funk had every right to be angry with Montgomerie in 1997.
Ahead of the Ryder Cup at Valderrama, Montgomerie caused real controversy with his comments on Brad Faxon.
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“He’s going through a divorce. Mentally, I don’t think he’ll be with it.“
In fairness, Monty crossed the line there with the personal barb he aimed at Faxon.
And Funk wasn’t the only American who was angry with Montgomerie.
Bob Estes chimed in and criticised the European golfing legend as well.
He said: “I always knew Montgomerie was a cry-baby. I respect his skills but when he starts with low blows, that’s poor.”
Montgomerie undoubtedly regrets those comments now. They were uncalled for and unbecoming of a man who has criticized the American for showing a lack of class in the past.
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