Few golfers have left as lasting an imprint on the game as Colin Montgomerie. Known affectionately as “Monty,” his consistency, leadership, and flair or rising to the occasion made him one of the defining figures of European golf for over two decades.
From unforgettable Ryder Cup triumphs to rewriting the record books on the European Tour, Montgomerie’s career is a study in resilience, self- belief, and an enduring love of the sport.
In this interview with Matt Nicholson, he reflects on the turning points, rivalries, and lessons that have shaped both his career and his life.
Do you remember the moment you knew you could turn professional and make a career out of this?
I was invited for an interview with IMG at Turnberry, the Monday after the 1986 Open.
I have one year of university to go and played 9 holes with two IMG executives Ian Todd, who was the president of IMG, and Peter German hoping to be offered a position in their management of professional golfers, looking after Faldo, Woosnam and Lyle.
I was concentrating on my P&Q’s as you do during an interview and managed to score 29 for the back 9 at Turnberry. They then turned to me and said you are not working for us, but we will work for you. Those 2 hours changed my life.
Your success on the European Tour is legendary, what do you think was the key to your consistency over the years?
Not changing my swing, taking what I had and making it better. I was more flexible in my younger years, my club-head speed has obviously come down, in my Callaway days I was up to 111 mph it’s down to 105mph, but 40 years on I am still doing the same, emphasising a swing through the ball rather than at it, leading to a smooth, fluid motion.
Looking back at your multiple Order of Merit wins, which one meant the most to you and why?
The first one. 1993. Seve had won it the previous year, and I will never forget him saying to me “Enjoy it Monty, it’s only on loan” I’ve never forgotten those words and the extra incentive I needed to try and continue to win it again, or for at least another year.
COLIN MONTGOMERIE SHARES A SMILE WITH SEVE BALLESTEROS Dave Cannon /Allsport
What was your favourite Ryder Cup moment, either as a player or captain?
Being presented with the Ryder Cup by the First Minister of Wales in 2010 to regain the Ryder Cup.
One thing was having the honour of being Captain of the Team but the real job was to win. And all of my Team contributed at least half a point to the victory.
Another moment came in 1997 at Valderrama. I was the last man on the course and faced a pivotal putt to secure the half- point we needed.
I’ll never forget Seve coming up and giving me a huge hug right after, it was one of the most emotional moments of my career.
MOMENT TO TREASURE,MONTY CELEBRATES HIS RYDER CUP WIN AS CAPTAIN WITH RORY MCLLROY (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
What made you such an opponent to beat in the Ryder Cup?
I hated losing far more than I ever enjoyed winning. That was my mindset. I’d win the odd event, but I never really celebrated, because my focus immediately shifted forward.
Losses, though I couldn’t stand them. And that really drove me at the Ryder Cup.
I also putted extremely well in the Ryder Cup, which is crucial because a good match player must be a good putter. I always seemed to hit putts just a touch firmer there, about a foot harder.
Here’s a little tip for anyone reading: hit the ball a foot harder on the greens and you’ll be surprised how many more drop.
In match play, I had the freedom to do that. If it didn’t work, I lost the hole no big deal. But in stroke play, a three-putt meant a bogey, and then suddenly you’re chasing it back on the next hole. It became a bigger issue.
Does it bother you that you didn’t get an official PGA Tour win?
I did win the Accenture World Match Play but that was an unofficial tournament in the US, beating Davis Love in the final and Ernie in the semis, I count that as a victory, I count that as a victory because at the time they were better players than I was.
Winning The Senior PGA Championship at 51 in 2014, meant a lot to me to actually get that monkey off of my back.
COLIN’S FIRST ORDER OF MERIT WIN CAME IN 1993 (Photo by Stephen Munday/Getty Images)
You’ve had some extraordinary duels with the game’s best, which opponent brought out the very best in you?
When I joined the Tour in 1988, we had 5 out of the top 6 in the world playing week to week on the European Tour, those 5 players brought the best out in me and I had to improve to get anywhere near their standard.
You’ve hit countless shots in your career, but is there one that stands out as your favourite ever?
I have one plaque in the world of golf, which is still there to this day. The Emirates Club in Dubai. On the 18th hole. I needed a birdie 4 to secure victory against Miguel Angel Jimenez.
I was about to lay up with a six-iron but then realised if I hit my driver out the middle, I could just about get there over the lake, in front of the green. I put my driver behind the ball and had a look at it and it looked right, I don’t normally take risks
in golf, but this was one paid off.
It came out the middle of the club and finished no more than 10 feet away from the hole. I managed to two putt to secure victory. It was voted shot of the year
in 1996.
COLIN POSES BESIDE THE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE THAT MARKS THE SPOT WHERE HE HIT A DRIVER OFF THE FAIRWAY ON THE PAR5, 18TH HOLE (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
On the other side, what shot have you regretted most and wish you could play again?
That would have to be the last hole at Winged Foot in the 2006 U.S Open, when I made a double bogey to lose, I had to wait for my playing partner, Vijay Singh, who had hit it way left – so far left it ended up in two hospitality tents and he needed a drop.
Long story short, the whole process took nine minutes. It felt like an hour, but nine minutes just to play his second shot. Meanwhile, I’m sitting there in the fairway, ready to go.
At first, I thought it was a 7-iron. Then I changed my mind to a 6-iron. Then back to
a 7-iron. After that much waiting, it’s almost impossible to stay completely positive. Unfortunately, I caught it a little heavy and left myself in the worst spot.
If there’s one shot, I wish I could have back, it’s that one. But the truth is, you have to play all 72 holes, not just 71. Looking back, I think today I would have just gone ahead and hit. Of course, we have the ‘Ready Golf ’ rule now.
I wish I’d just stepped up, hit the 7-iron, and left it under the hole. The flag was tucked on the right, I fade the ball naturally, and honestly, it was probably easier to make birdie there than the six I ended up with.
How has the game of golf changed most since you first turned professional?
Without doubt it’s the equipment. The ball and the clubs have changed golf remarkably.
I am not saying all in a positive way but in length and accuracy it has changed everything, the balls fly further higher and straighter through technology and the clubs have so much more forgiveness built into them, allowing players to hit harder without the fear of missing fairways.
How much do you continue to learn at this point in your career?
If I don’t learn after every round of golf, it’s been a complete waste. I learn something knew about myself, about the ball, about the clubs, about the lies, about what to do.
I learn something; and you must take something from every round of golf and I still do.
MEETING MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIOUS GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND TEAM AHEAD OF THE CURTIS CUP OPENING CEREMONY AT SUNNINGDALE (Photo by Tom Dulat/R&A/GettyImages)
In your opinion what’s the most difficult shot in golf, and how do you approach it under pressure?
The shot between 60 and 40 yards to the pin.
It’s not a full shot, it’s not a half shot, it’s a three- quarter shot and so very difficult to judge the distance.
Acceleration and commitment are key. Most decelerate without commitment and that’s why it is so difficult.
I use light hands on the club. I grip the club at 40 per cent on these shorter shots and that takes away the stress and the strain out of the forearms, allowing me to accelerate and commit to the shot ahead.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received during your career?
Don’t change your swing. I never said it was textbook, I never said it was perfect but the best advice I have been given was don’t change it.
What’s one moment outside of golf that changed your life?
The birth of my three children, my two daughters Venetia and Olivia and my son Cameron, who’s a good golfer has recently been caddying for me.
What’s one misconception people often have about you?
I’m grumpy and have a bad temper. I’m actually not! I’ve never thrown a club; I’ve never broken a club. I’ve been upset at my own performance sometimes, but who isn’t at this game.
What do you do to unwind or find peace when you’re away from golf entirely?
Spending time with my wife, my children, and my grandchildren. I enjoy watching the Premier League, but as a Leeds supporter it doesn’t give me a lot of peace or help me unwind.
COLIN RECENTLY HOSTED THE LEGENDS TOUR’S FLAGSHIP EVENT THE STAYSURE PGA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP AT TRUMP INTERNATIONAL (Photo by Paul Devlin/Getty Images)
Was there ever a point where you felt lonely or isolated during your career? How did you cope?
I never felt lonely or isolated. I always had and still do have a great team of support around me. Which I am very fortunate to say.
Do you feel you’ve changed more as a person or a player over the years?
Changed more as a person than a player. Life experiences change everyone. I’m definitely more mellow.
Where do you play your golf in the UK?
My home club, Sunningdale , that’s where we live and it’s the most beautiful walk, it’s a beautiful spot and the has the best parkland courses in the country. It’s such a shame Turnberry isn’t on the Open rota, that’s the best links course in Britain by a distance.
MONTY IN ACTION AT HIS HOME CLUB OF SUNNINGDALE (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
If you could give your younger self one piece of life advice, what would it be?
Be more patient, I like anyone wanted success, a little too early and I would tell my younger self to be more patient and go with the flow.
Tournament golf shows you this, you can’t win on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, you have to wait until Sunday afternoon. You can only lose it early in the week.
Finally, when people look back on Colin Montgomerie’s career, how would you like to be remembered in the world of golf?
A lot of people come up to me nowadays and thank me for giving them a lot of pleasure following my career and golf over the years.
Also I am very proud of the courses that I have designed around the world, about 20 in total, giving opportunities to people around the world to enjoy this incredible game.
FINAL THOUGHT
Speaking with Colin Montgomerie is a reminder that greatness in sport isn’t just about
trophies or records, it’s about resilience, identity, and the ability to inspire.
His stories carry both humour and humility, whether reflecting on the shot of a lifetime, the patience he wishes he had in his youth, or the pride he takes in his family and course design work today.
What stands out most is his clarity of purpose: he never strayed far from who he was, both as a golfer and as a person.
And perhaps that’s Montgomerie’s true legacy, not just the victories and accolades, but the enduring sense that golf, at its best, is a lifelong journey of consistency, character, and connection.
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