Golf legend reveals why he's refusing to play in The Open

Colin Montgomerie will not attempt to qualify for this year's Open Championship at Royal Troon after conceding he is not long enough to compete in the final major of the season. 

Montgomerie, 60, admitted last season he intended to give things one final crack to compete in the 2024 Open Championship at his home course where his father once served as a captain and later as a secretary. 

But the record eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner has declared the 2016 Open at Royal Troon where he finished 78th will remain the last Open Championship of his career. 

Montgomerie never won a major championship despite winning 31 times on the European Tour.

He came closest to etching his name on the Claret Jug when finishing solo second to Tiger Woods at the 2005 Open at St Andrews. 

The former World No.2 also finished second at the US Open three times (1994, 1997, 2006) and once at the US PGA (1995).

Monty's best result at The Masters was T8 (1998).

Montgomerie does, however, intend to see out his golf career on the PGA Tour Champions for as long as he possibly can. 

The Scot has confirmed he will participate in the 2024 Senior Open at Carnoustie from 25-28 July, a week after the 2024 Open at Royal Troon from 18-21 July. 

Montgomerie told BBC Sport: 

"I would love to play but the course is getting longer and longer and I want to bow out at The Open as I did in 2016.

"I was proud of qualifying and making the cut but those days, sadly, are behind me.

"I'll leave it to the bigger hitters. The distance those players now hit means I can't compete. Technology has kept me going but I average about 275 yards off the tee, that is four-iron for these players.

"Yes you can get lucky and compete over nine holes but it's not going to happen over 72."

He added: "I’m playing at Carnoustie (Senior Open) because I can still compete. If I didn’t think I had a chance of contending, I wouldn’t do it. I’m a contender as opposed to a competitor. That’s a big difference."

Montgomerie will be going in search of a fourth senior major at Carnoustie.

He has two Senior PGA titles to his name, coming in consecutive seasons in 2014 and 2015, and he also won the US Senior Open in 2014.

Regional Qualifying for The 152nd Open in 2024 will take place on Monday 24 June at Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, County Louth, Ferndown, Fulford, Goswick, Hesketh, Kedleston Park, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Minchinhampton (Composite), Moor Park (High), Northamptonshire County, North Hants and Rochester & Cobham Park.

Final Qualifying for The 152nd Open at Royal Troon in 2024 will take place on Tuesday 2 July at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire.

Montgomerie also spoke to the media about his thoughts on compatriot Robert MacIntyre following his impressive T8 at the US PGA. 

MacIntyre had been struggling for the large majority of his debut PGA Tour season, but the tide appears to be turning as the 2023 European Ryder Cup hero builds his confidence in the United States.

Montgomerie admits it can initially be tough for rising European stars to make their mark on the PGA Tour for one very good reason.