Monty Wants To Reach Out To Scottish Youth And Show Them How A Professional Acts

Douglas Lowe finds Monty in a chatty mood as he ponders out loud why the youth of today--namely young Scottish amateurs Callum Macaulay and John Gallagher--have not come to him for advice.

"They need help," said Scotland's top world-ranked player, who has more than two decades of experience as a tournament professional on which to draw. "There is a big, big difference between what they are doing in amateur golf and the professional game.

"Very few make that transition easily. It is a tough one. If it was easy we would all be doing it," said Montgomerie, who was never a shrinking violet when it came to picking other players' brains.

"I was wise in many ways. I was asking questions of players who were better than me and I am surprised that more people have not asked me about the transition and how it was done, what happened and how you felt.

"There are a lot of golfers who hit the ball better than I do but can't get the ball round the golf course. There is a lot more to it than hitting the golf ball straight a long way and I hope they realise beforehand I am going to be there and can think about the questions they are going to ask me."

About diet, about marriage, washing your own car, about playing in front of large crowds. Just think of what they can learn!

"I have played in the Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy so I know how they are. It's the same in your own family; your own kids don't see you as children but they forget I was their age once and I know exactly what they are thinking," he said, adding with a laugh: "I just didn't like rap music."

Your own children don't see you as a child, Monty? They obvious haven't watched you interract with a gallery!