Sky's coverage of Day Two at Augusta has kicked off, and it is around this time that most viewers ask in exasperation: why is Colin Montgomerie part of this coverage?
Montgomerie has been a central part of Sky's coverage of golf for years, and was given plenty of air time during last year's (I Remember When I Won The) Ryder Cup.
During that tournament, Montgomerie served up his usual melange of absurd phrases and dad-isms, including this slightly weird way of encouraging golfers to take things one step at a time:
There's only one way to eat an elephant, and it's one bite at a time.
(As an aside, that line is reminiscent of George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant, which includes the line "And my whole life was one long struggle not be laughed at" - something Monty has appeared to be unperturbed by during his television career).
But now, with Stockholm Syndrome well set in by now, we find ourselves asking the opposite: why has Colin Montgomerie not been on Sky Sports? Yep, up to now, Sky's coverage has been Monty-free, so here's the explanation why.
Montgomerie is at Augusta alright, but he isn't working for Sky Sports: he is doing commentary for the US-based Golf Channel.
Monty is hobbling about Augusta national, too, with his left foot in a protective boot. He confirmed the injury on twitter, via quite a middle-class tweet: he seemed to hint that he hurt it skiing.
Stuck at home ligament damage should have practiced triple salchow before taking to the ice back soon @ChampionsTour pic.twitter.com/RNcowcXPWj
— Colin Montgomerie (@montgomeriefdn) March 29, 2017
When talking to reporters at Augusta about his injury, Montgomerie tried to make a joke of it according to The Sun. In typical fashion, it was horribly misjudged and unfunny.
I did it kicking my ex-wife!
(Montgomerie split up with his wife Gaynor Knowles last year. It was an acrimonious split, in which they each counter-sued the other).
So Montgomerie is off telling viewers of the Golf Channel that he once won the Ryder Cup. Not much has changed in the opinions of this viewer:
@GolfChannel Did Colin Montgomerie really need to remind everyone he played in the #Masters ? What a tool. Get him off the channel.
— Paul Mancini (@pcmancini) April 7, 2017
Some viewers have been a fan of Montgomerie's addition, however.
@montgomeriefdn really enjoying your commentary on the Masters coverage! @TheMasters @GolfChannel
— Will Gardiner (@wegbullnose) April 7, 2017
Best analysis of Mickelson's chances at #TheMasters from Colin Montgomerie "If Phil can just hit the fairway that he's actually playing..." pic.twitter.com/UWE6POENVh
— Dean Plunkett (@DeanPlunkettTHW) April 7, 2017
Would love to actually watch golf now, but right now, enjoying @miketirico @montgomeriefdn @david59duval just talk golf. No fluff.
— Amol Yajnik (@amolyajnik) April 7, 2017
Thomas Bjorn has been Monty's replacement on Sky, and has been somewhat of an underwhelming addition. In better news, however, Padraig Harrington is expected to pick up the mic for Sky at some stage over the weekend.
