Colin Montgomerie's golf joy contrasts with LIV Golf's future

According to some canny sage, 50 is the youth of old age. Having glimpsed in the mirror, after waving a fond farewell to my 40s at the weekend, I’m having trouble convincing myself that there’s any truth in that particular observation. Apparently, the years between 50 and 70 are the hardest as you’re always being asked to do things and yet you’re not decrepit enough to turn them down.

Imagine that? Still writing this column when I’m 69? Perish the thought.

The reason I’m blethering on about senior status just now is that one of our great golden oldies, Colin Montgomerie, was right in the thick of the scramble for an over-50s major title at the weekend. Good old Monty, at a sprightly 62, eventually finished third in the Regions Tradition event, but the sight of the indefatigable Scot reveling in the cut-and-thrust at the sharp end of a leaderboard again was something of a soothing escape from the ongoing and wearisome kerfuffle surrounding LIV Golf. On Saturday night, after a third round 67, which kept him clinging to the coattails of the eventual champion, Stewart Cink, Montgomerie was in a carnival mood.

All was good in the golfing world again. Energized, proud as punch. The full Monty, with the beam of man who looked like he was being paid per square inch of gleaming dentistry, is always a joy to behold.