Monty sorry for outburst at Sky man

COLIN Montgomerie apologised last night to a Sky Sports sound man, following an on-course spat at the European Open last week when he spoke in a condescending manner to the TV employee.

The Scot's expression of regret came after Ewen Murray, the golf TV commentator who now coaches Darren Clarke, described Montgomerie's exchange with the technician on the 13th hole during the second round at the London Club last week as "the most embarrassing few minutes I have witnessed on a golf course".

Murray recalled: "Ross, our sound technician, was doing his job 40 yards away from Colin's third shot, i.e pointing the sound recorder in Monty's direction, so you can hear the sound of the ball being struck through your TV sets.

"Monty backed off and said to Ross: 'Do you have a problem here?' The reply came: 'No problem at all'. What followed was the most sickening minute I have experienced on a golf course. The Scot replied: 'You're here because of me, OK, remember that'.

"If I had said that and my late professional golfer father was listening, it would have been at least a month before I could sit comfortably without any pain.

"His behaviour was beyond an apology. He let the game down badly. He let the Tour down, as well as his friends, family, admirers, supporters, sponsors, and fellow pros."

On hearing of the comments, Montgomerie said last night: "You know what I'm like. I do things in the heat of the moment that I later regret. I was clearly out of line on this occasion. I have spoken to Mark Roe, who also works with Sky, and whom I know well and asked him to get the man's address so that I can follow up this apology with another one."

Having written a column on skysports.com earlier this week on Monty's outburst in Kent, Murray revisited the topic in an open letter in which he invited the golfer to make amends.

The TV commentator said Monty's behaviour on the course was "akin to an angry incredible hulk". Last month Murray wrote: "If Colin had an on-course temperament to match his off-course demeanour, he would have won six majors by now."