Lyle backs Monty for US Open bid

By Julian Taylor

Mongomerie is one of three Scots appearing at this year's US Open

Sandy Lyle expects Colin Montgomerie to mount another strong challenge at the US Open in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, which gets under way on Thursday.

After losing out on the 18th to Geoff Ogilvy last year, Montgomerie will join fellow Scots Martin Laird and Richie Ramsay in the year's second major.

"I think Colin can reach the latter stages again as he has been over the course so many times before.

"I don't think he'll rest until he wins a major," Lyle told BBC Sport.

Montgomerie, the nearly-man of the majors, is hoping to banish the memories of 2006 when, on the brink of a maiden major win, he double bogeyed the final hole, allowing Ogilvy to win by a stroke at Winged Foot.

But the Scot's preparations for this year's tournament are in some disarray after splitting with caddie Alastair McLean and missing the cut at last week's Austrian Open.

He is a golfer who really enjoys a challenge Lyle on Montgomerie

"I have had caddies long-term and sometimes it can be a bit like a marriage," former Open and Masters champion Lyle said.

"A good caddie knows his golfer's moods and that's when they really earn their money.

"Colin has won so many European Order of Merits so he is capable of hitting the heights.

"Unfortunately we all tend to judge players on the number of majors they've won - but he's still had a brilliant career.

"He is a golfer who really enjoys a challenge."

Montgomerie, who won seven straight Order of Merits between 1993-1999 and eight in all, has reserved his best form in the majors for the US Open.

As well as last year's runner-up finish, he was third in 1992 at Pebble Beach, lost in an 18-hole play-off to Ernie Els at Oakmont in 1994 and was also runner-up, again to Els, at Congressional in 1997.

Montgomerie's new caddie Billy Goddard said he was told the Scot wanted someone "who knows the course and knows how to keep his mouth shut".

The 62-year-old has been caddying at Oakmont for 48 years, although Montgomerie asked for nothing more than yardages during their first round together on Tuesday.

"I told him if he needed another opinion, I'd be happy to help (but) I'm just going to do my job and keep my mouth shut," added Goddard.

Goddard is no stranger to US Opens, having worked in 1973 for Miller Barber, who was paired for the final round with another Miller, Johnny, who shot a spectacular 63 to storm to victory.