Pablo Larrazabal revealed that remarks made by Colin Montgomerie significantly motivated him before his victory at the 2008 Open de France. Montgomerie, despite being past his prime, was a formidable presence as he entered the final round, trailing the leader by three shots at Le Golf National.
By 2008, Montgomerie had already claimed his eighth and final Order of Merit title in 2005 and added a victory at the European Open two years later. With a strong belief in his game, Montgomerie felt poised to pursue his 32nd European Tour win, especially since the leading players were relatively inexperienced at top-level competition.
Montgomerie’s comments aimed at Larrazabal provided the young Spaniard with an unexpected boost. The seasoned Scotsman questioned whether Larrazabal could withstand the pressure, suggesting that the rookie might struggle without patience. This remark resonated deeply with Larrazabal, who reflected on how it fueled his determination during the tournament.
“I remember the day before, on the Saturday night, I was reading some news and it was a sentence that fired me up big time from Mr Colin Montgomerie,” Larrazabal recalled. “He didn’t know my name. He called me that young Spaniard and said he’s going to choke tomorrow. I have to thank him because he’s a true gentleman and he helped me a lot because he’s a very calm guy.”
In a display of competitive spirit, Larrazabal not only won his first title but did so decisively, finishing four shots ahead of Montgomerie. The young golfer’s victory was a pivotal moment in his career, while Montgomerie faced a challenging season.
As the 2008 Ryder Cup approached, Montgomerie felt increasing pressure. Prior to the tournament in France, he had only managed one top-10 finish on the European Tour that year. This marked a crucial moment for the golfer, who had not missed a Ryder Cup since his debut in 1991 and had been a key player for Europe throughout his career.
Unfortunately for Montgomerie, his struggles continued. He missed the cut at Loch Lomond shortly after the Open de France, leading to a disappointing decision by Sir Nick Faldo, the European captain, who opted for Ian Poulter and Paul Casey as his wildcard picks. This choice effectively ended Montgomerie’s playing career in the Ryder Cup, although he later took over as captain for the 2010 event at Celtic Manor.
Larrazabal’s triumph at Le Golf National serves as a reminder of how powerful words can be in competitive sports. Montgomerie’s comments, intended as a challenge, ultimately contributed to the emergence of a new star on the European Tour.
