Montgomerie Steps Into the Boardroom
A Ryder Cup giant and European Tour loyalist now takes his place where the game’s future will be shaped.
Paju, Korea - Colin Montgomerie has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the European Tour Group, bringing one of golf’s most decorated European careers into the governing room of the organisation that oversees the DP World Tour, HotelPlanner Tour, Staysure Legends Tour and Ryder Cup in Europe.
The 62-year-old Scot, a winner of more than 50 professional titles worldwide, arrives with a record that includes eight Harry Vardon Trophies as European Number One, seven of them won in succession from 1993 to 1999, and 31 victories on the former European Tour, among them three straight PGA Championships at Wentworth from 1998 to 2000.
“I am very much looking forward to joining the Board of the European Tour Group and I consider it a great honour to be asked,” Montgomerie said. “I pride myself in the fact that I was always one hundred percent loyal to the Tour in my playing days, and indeed I continue to be so. These are interesting times in professional golf and I hope I will be able to support, encourage and assist the Tour going forward in any way I can.”
Montgomerie’s standing in the game stretches well beyond his tournament victories. He won three Senior Major Championships after turning 50, captured the Senior PGA Championship in 2014 and 2015 and the U.S. Senior Open in 2014, and built a towering Ryder Cup legacy by playing eight times for Europe, never losing a singles match and collecting 23½ points from 36 matches. He also led Europe to victory as captain at Celtic Manor in 2010, when the home side reclaimed the Ryder Cup with a 14½-13½ win.
“I’m delighted to welcome Colin to our Board of Directors,” said Eric Nicoli, Chairman of the European Tour Group. “His playing record speaks for itself and his knowledge of the game gleaned from almost 40 years as a professional is unparalleled. I know he will be an important asset for us as we continue to develop all aspects of the European Tour Group moving forward.”
Montgomerie’s first Board meeting will take place on Monday, March 23. He joins fellow winning Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn, along with former Tour colleagues Paul Eales, Chris Hanell, Grégory Havret, David Howell and Robert Lee as Tournament Committee Directors, replacing Ove Sellberg as part of the Board’s rotational system.