BRITISH MASTERS: Colin Montgomerie, at times not far from tears, came back to the game yesterday after the turmoil of the last few weeks that have seen his marriage disintegrate and shot a level-par 72, writes David Davies at Forest of Arden

The Scot was six behind the leader, David Howell, and afterwards spoke of his fears that the effect of the impending divorce might have on his game. He also spoke emotionally about the warm reception he was given on the first tee before his opening round of the British Masters.

"It was fabulous," he said, "a delight. I'll remember that for a very long time." There was prolonged applause from a large crowd, and it was repeated at the 18th when he finished the round. "I think the golfing world wished me well," he said. "I hope so and it seemed that way today."

Asked if he had considered delaying his return to competition, he said: "Oh yes, definitely. But if it is going to take six months or so until I am playing to my own ability I might as well start sooner rather than later, so that period is over quicker. This was a big hurdle today and I am glad I did it."

Montgomerie went out with Lee Westwood and Nick Faldo and the latter, thrice married, has played some of his best golf when engaged in personal battles. The Scot has played only six competitive rounds in the past six weeks, including missing the cut in the US Masters, and if he is to play in the Ryder Cup in September he must start playing as he can very soon.

"It was important to get out and play golf and put all the other parts of my life aside," Montgomerie added. "I had to get on with what I do best, my job, and that's what I've been doing today."

Montgomerie found concentration hard at the start of the round, missing from inside five feet for a bogey at the first and missing a simple tap-in for another at the third. "Coming here," he said. "I had very low expectations, to be honest, so to be two-over after three and get it back to level was a good effort. But today's score didn't really matter. I enjoyed being away from everything and having my phone turned off for five or six hours."

One of the heroes of Europe's win over the Americans two years ago, Montgomerie added: "The support was like a Ryder Cup feeling. They must have been round the corner at The Belfry. It's difficult to concentrate fully right now obviously. There are no real goals set - I've just got to try and play as well as I can. There is no thought about anything in September (the next Ryder Cup match in Detroit) or anything like that."

Montgomerie is not certain to be exempt from qualifying for next month's US Open or July's Open at his home club Troon. Westwood returned a 71, but Faldo had two bogey sixes in his 75, rolling into the lake on the 17th.

Darren Clarke, like Montgomerie twice a winner on the course, shot a 70, and Paul McGinley, after surgery on a serious knee problem a month ago to correct a torn cartilage, ligament damage and chipping of the bone, also shot a 70.

Howell is lying 33rd in the order of merit but is capable of shooting low scores occasionally. "I just played as I can," he said. "I know I can do it on my good days and this was one of them."

A round of 66 was the result, leaving five men jointly second on five-under. Andrew Coltart, the former Ryder Cup player, is one of them, and with a tie for 45th as his best performance after 10 events so far, he is having to be philosophical.

"It's been a terrible start," he admitted, "but when you're playing well, you know you can't keep playing well, you are eventually going to play poorly.

"But when you are playing poorly that can't keep going either, and eventually you are going to play well. So you just try not to lose faith, just try to plod away and not panic."

Guardian Service