Colin Montgomerie’s struggling with a torn calf muscle heading into the BMW Italian Open in Turin.
Monty underwent an MRI scan on his left leg after picking up the injury last fortnight in Switzerland and being forced out of last week’s KLM Open.
He’ll wear a special DVT airline sock while is also on a prescription of anti-inflamatories and taken to wearing for a first time the new Ecco line of casual wear looking golf shoes worn by Masters champion, Fred Couples and recent Open Champion, Ernie Els.
Monty wearing ‘DVT’ airline sock to help circulation in his leg.
“I was told it takes eight weeks to repair and I told the doctors you’ve got four days,” said Monty.
”The shoes are really good plus the airline sock will help keep the blood flowing plus I’m taking all sorts of pills. So I’m drugged up to the nines.”
“But special thanks to Stuart Barton at Anstruther, as he’s done a great job. He used to work for the SRU. He’s done a fantastic job, and here we are.”
And when reminded he has had little injury in his 25-year pro career Monty quipped: “Yes, I’ve been lucky not having had much injury problems. You don’t win seven Order of Merit’s in a row being injured.”
There’s also injury concerns for two other Scots competing this week in Turin.
Gary Orr was noticed limping appreciably while he’s been unable to walk the Royal Park course with his right knee strapped. The Helensburgh golfer also has been undergoing constant treatment and, like Monty, is on a prescription of anti-inflamatories.
“My right knee is really swollen up and I felt something over the last few holes on Friday in Holland,” said Orr.
“I’ve got the knee heavily strapped, and it’s okay when I am standing still but very difficult when I walk.
“I also could have done with an afternoon tee time Thursday but I’m out early, so I will see how it goes and then maybe wing it.
“It’s not the right preparation and the doctors saying that it’s not looking too good.”
And Alastair Forsyth was one of the last into the Italian event and arrived lying 124th on the money list and just nine places shy of holding onto his Tour card.
The Paisley pro recently underwent two cortisone injections for an injured wrist that is still causing discomfort.
But more painful is the uncertainty where he will next tee-up after his Italian Open commitments.
With three Spanish events in succession, the Madrid Masters, Castellon Masters and Andalucia Masters, now cancelled, Forsyth could be staring at a 22,000 mile round trip to Perth, Australia for the inaugural Perth International starting on October 18th and the same week of the now cancelled Andalucia Masters.
Europe’s three Ryder Cup stars competing in Turin – Francesco Molinari and winner of the event in 2006, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Belgian team rookie, Nicolas Colsaerts – have been grouped together for the first two rounds.
And defending BMW Italian Open winner, Robert Rock, despite a lower back complaint, is delighted to have beaten both McIlroy and Tiger Woods earlier this year in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship given also McIlroy and Woods have since won seven events this year.
“Beating Tiger was great in Abu Dhabi, and also finishing in front of Rory was fantastic,” said Rock.
“My win is looking better and better and I’d like to thank them for that (smiling).”
