Monty looks up to Irish challenge

scot rank-rotten but not feeling low

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SCOTLAND’S Colin Montgomerie goes into the Irish Open at Adare Manor, Limerick, tomorrow in his lowest world ranking for nearly 18 years.

Unable to command a place in either last month’s Masters or last week’s Players Championship, Montgomerie is now down to 88th and fully aware he has to arrest the slide to have any real hope of a ninth Ryder Cup cap in September.

You have to go back to October 1990 to find when Monty, 44, was ranked lower – before the first of his appearances against the Americans or the first of his record eight European Order of Merit titles. Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister, Stefan Edberg and Martina Navratilova were Wimbledon champions and Manchester United needed a replay to beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. Two weeks ago, Montgomerie came back from honeymoon and a five-week lay-off to trail in 70th out of the 75 who made the cut in the Spanish Open.

It was only last November that Montgomerie and Marc Warren won the World Cup for Scotland in China and less than a year since a trip to Ireland brought him his last individual victory.

That was the European Open at the K Club, but he has an affection for the Irish Open too. He triumphed in 1996, 1997 and 2001 to join Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo as a three-time winner.

Newmachar member Roger Benzie aced the 161yd 12th hole on the Swailend Course using a seven iron. He was partnered by George McBurns.

Peterhead member Sheena Angus aced the 136yd 16th using a rescue club. She was partnered by Irene Young. It was her sixth hole in one. Sheena has aced all the short holes at Peterhead.