Montgomerie's wild card comments spark row

Apr 13 2008 By Euan Mclean In Augusta

AUGUSTA'S Asian invitees have hit back at Colin Montgomerie for attacking the decision to hand them a dream ticket to The Masters instead of him.

Frustrated Monty spoke out last week after he was snubbed from the list of invites who didn't automatically qualify, either as former winners or players currently ranked in the world top 50.

Instead the three invites went to India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and China's Wen Chong-Liang, despite them all being ranked well below Monty's current standing of 75th.

That annoyed the Scot, who this week missed only his second Masters in 17 years, and he accused Augusta of inviting Asian stars because of the larger potential TV audience in the far east.

But Chinese debutant Chong-Liang hit back at Monty and hinted the anger his rant has caused could affect the success of the numerous courses in Asia he has earned a great deal of money designing.

Chong-Liang said: "People in Asia were disappointed and annoyed by what he said. I can't say if he should apologise.

"I don't know whether it will influence his business in Asia but if you paid to have Colin design a course and then hear him saying that about Asian golf, what do you think it would do for your business?"

Indian star Singh agreed and accused the Scot of failing to see the big picture.

He said: "It's great for Asian golf that guys like myself and Prayad are getting these invites, it is helping the game grow over there for sure."