Get global, Monty tells Americans

Monty: reckons Americans need to get out their passports more often

Colin Montgomerie says US players should travel more if they want to show up better in the world rankings.

Six of the world’s top eight are European, with world number one Lee Westwood reclaiming top spot after showing himself to be a global golfer again by winning last week’s Indonesian Masters.

“Tiger (Woods) has always travelled about the world and been a global player, we’ve seen Phil (Mickelson) in recent years travel to European Tour events in the Far East and he was in Abu Dhabi this year which is great,” Montgomerie said at the launch of the Monty’s Monthly Medal charity initiative, which will help raise funds for the construction of two cancer centres in Scotland.

“But it was the Americans who dominated the world rankings for the last 10 years, so what are they really complaining about?

“They were getting more points than we were here in Europe for a long time.

“The only reason they’re complaining is that the more top ranked players you have in European events, like Dubai earlier this year and Wentworth next month, the more points you generate.

“The BMW PGA is open to the top-50 in the world whether or not you are a European Tour member or not, so if the Americans are worried about the rankings why not come to Europe and play Wentworth?”

Defend

Monty, who led Europe to victory in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, was also keen to defend top ranked Westwood after the Englishman’s status as number one has been questioned in some quarters due to his failure so far to win a major.

“It’s true Lee Westwood as number one has not won a major but we also have a world number one in ladies’ tennis as well who has not won a major,” Montgomerie said.

“Major championships are one way or the other. I almost got to number one in the world without winning a major and if I had of won the ’97 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond I’d have been world number one also without winning major.

“So it goes on performance and over two years Lee Westwood has more points than anyone else and he deserves his place. There’s no question about it.

“What that proves is consistency, and not just because you’ve won a big tournament as it is reflected in what you’ve done in all the others.

“So Lee Westwood is rightfully the best golfer in the world right now and to suggest otherwise is wrong.”