As he steels himself for a first competitive appearance on American soil since his ill-judged "fried chicken" quip to Tiger Woods during the BMW PGA Championship, it would be safe to assume that Sergio Garcia probably feels about as welcome as Billy Connolly's famous flurry of flatulence in a space suit.
Whether yesterday's obvious attempt to bury the hatchet – Woods was pictured accepting the hand of Garcia as the pair practised at Merion ahead of this week's US Open – will make the Spaniard more acceptable to the galleries remains to be seen. Woods refused to comment on the outbreak of flesh-pressing, but will surely have something to say when both players officially face the media today.
Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, knows all about partisan US galleries, of course, and the 49-year-old will be interested to see how Garcia handles the reception when he trots on to the tee on Thursday.
Montgomerie, who will be performing his usual duties in the Sky television booth, was the victim of some fearsome abuse from those on the other side of the ropes in his pomp. In an attempt to temper the torrents, an American magazine even dished out 25,000 "Be Nice To Monty" badges during the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Park.
What awaits Garcia from the sidelines this week is anybody's guess – he was cheered on to the tee at Wentworth in the midst of the racist storm – and Montgomerie is hoping the embattled Spaniard just lets his clubs do the talking this time. "The best thing Sergio can do is play his golf and score 66 on the first day and silence the critics," said Montgomerie. "I think he's going to have a difficult time at the US Open, of course he is. He could [be booed on the tee] which is very sad for our game. I did manage it [the abuse] better, but it was expected. If something is expected you can almost plan for it and Sergio could plan for this because it's expected for him. If it's un-expected you go: 'What the hell is that all about; I'm not ready for that'. He spoke to me at Wentworth and he said 'it's going to be difficult in America'. I said, 'I know, but you get on with it and play your golf'. That's all he can do; he's got to do his job."
The strained relationship between Garcia and Woods will be in the spotlight again but Woods will have his focus firmly on ending his major drought, which stretches back to 2008. Montgomerie, who was beaten in a play-off in the 1994 US Open and was second on two other occasions, believes the rejuvenated 14-time major champion has reached a critical time in his quest to overhaul Jack Nicklaus's record plunder of 18.
"This year is vital; he's got to win one this year," he said. "If he does, then I think Nicklaus' record could be back on again. He's winning everything bar a major, isn't he? Everyone says he's back but no-one will say he's truly back until he wins another one [major] and it's very difficult for him. There is more pressure on him than ever before."
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