Montgomerie Fails to Master Path to Augusta

Another signpost in the steady decline of Colin Montgomerie's career at the highest level was passed yesterday when it was confirmed he will not play in this year's Masters at Augusta after dropping out of the world's top 50.

The Scotsman, who has missed the season's opening major only once before in the past 17 years, fell to 75th in the world rankings on a day when the tournament committee confirmed invitations to every player in the top 50. By way of consolation he will have ample time to prepare for his April 17 wedding.

It marks the end of an early season mini-drama surrounding Montgomerie's efforts to qualify for Augusta, which saw him withdraw from the Ballantine's Championship in Seoul, despite being the focus of the event sponsor's marketing efforts (they even served haggis at the pre-tournament dinner), in favour of playing two events in the United States where more ranking points were on offer.

"I go to bed thinking about it [the Masters] and wake up thinking about it," he said when asked why he had forsaken the Korean event, not to mention the six-figure appearance fee.

Alas, his American adventure proved fruitless as he missed the cut at the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando. He did not miss the cut at the CA Championship in Miami - there was not one - but finished 65th rather than the fourth needed to push him back into the top 50.

There remains one avenue of entry for the Scot, a special invitation from Augusta's tournament committee, but the chances of that are negligible, not least because the club has a habit of handing out such coveted calls based on the size of the television audience in a golfer's home country rather than on his talent or chances of winning.