Monty splits with caddy Alastair McLean

Colin Montgomerie has split with caddy Alastair McLean just days before the US

Open at Oakmont. The decision was made after the

eight-time European number one missed the halfway cut in the Austrian Open by

five shots.

Montgomerie and McLean initially worked together for 10 years until their first

split in May 2002, reuniting in August 2004 just before the Scot was given a

wild card for the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.

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The 43-year-old went through numerous different caddies in their time apart,

even being accused of "poaching" Andy Prodger from his Ryder Cup team-mate

Phil Price.

Despite his reputation as a hard taskmaster, there will be plenty willing to

work for Montgomerie, although it is thought he may hire a local caddy at

Oakmont next week, where he lost a play-off with Ernie Els and Loren Roberts for

the 2004 US Open.

Never in contention after a front nine of 42, Montgomerie could only manage a

78 in the play-off which Els eventually won on the 20th hole, but asked if that

is what he remembered most, the Ryder Cup star said: "No, I remember not losing

over 72 holes."

Montgomerie has not won a tournament since December 2005 in Hong Kong and the

43-year-old admitted "something had to change" after a third-round 72, three

over par, sent him crashing out of contention in last week's Wales Open.

A closing 63 at Celtic Manor seemed enough to lift the storm clouds overhead

and he arrived in Vienna in upbeat mood, insisting: "I am getting my game

back.

"There is no question that the dark, dark days of this year are over and I'm

getting back to putting scores together as opposed to thinking about it."

Montgomerie's manager, Guy Kinnings, told PA Sport: "They have agreed to take

a break, they needed to refresh things.

"Monty will probably hire a local this week who knows the course.

"I don't know what the long-term planning is but it is accurate to say they

are not working together next week."