Monty admits slow play but vows to be back at full speed in European Open

It has come to light that the eight-time European number one offended during last week's French Open, the event where his career was re-ignited by a runner-up finish to Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.  

Montgomerie, now defending his European Open title at The London Club in Kent, was happy to speak about the incident.  

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Fools rush in: Monty doesn't look to be in a hurry at the European Open

'I wasn't aware our group was put on the clock, through no fault of my own, and I had a very difficult shot at the 16th,' he said.  

'I took too long to play it, so I had what is known as a bad time and if I'd had one more in that round I'd have had a £2,000 fine and a one-shot penalty - but I didn't.  

'It was one of those things. Unfortunately even a quick player like me can fall foul of certain shots.

'If we were not on the clock it would have been unnoticed, but because we were it was.

'Is the system right? That's debatable. We have to have a system, that system is in place and it's the best we have.  

'You can go on and on for ages about that, but I did fall foul. But I'm as quick as most out here.'  

Montgomerie's performance last week lifted him to 14th in the Ryder Cup standings and victory this weekend could take him as high as sixth and in sight of a ninth cap.  

As things stand, though, he freely admits he would not pick himself for September's match.  

"I would pick (Luke) Donald and (Padraig) Harrington,' stated the Scot, who revealed that he has carried self-doubts throughout his career.  

However, Montgomerie knows that captain Nick Faldo does not have to make his two wild card choices until the end of next month.  

And by then he hopes to have forced his way into an automatic spot or, failing that, provided much more evidence that he is the man for the job.  

'I'm not resting on any laurels,' he added. 'It's getting harder, there's no question about it. I'm 45 now and you have to dig a little deeper every time. But it's nice to know that it's there.  

'Last week's last putt (a 40-footer that made him solo second behind young Spaniard Larrazabal) felt like a win, but I've got to keep going here.  

'I don't feel I've played my last Ryder Cup - it will be a shame if I have. I think I have at least one left to play.  

'It's been part of my life since 1991 and I don't feel I'm ready to give that up.'