Does Colin Montgomerie want to protect Rory McIlroy from a Tiger Woods backlash at Celtic Manor?

The European skipper appeared to let the cat out of the bag yesterday when he revealed that fragile McIlroy is upset that his comments on Woods have been blown out of all proportion.

Asked if he’d do a deal with opposite number Corey Pavin and arrange for the pair to meet, Montgomerie revealed his hand when he said: “No, I almost want to avoid that situation.  I can’t avoid it.

“If it does happen, great, we look forward to that challenge and I’m sure Rory would, too, and I’m sure Tiger would, too. 

“A lot has been made of this challenge, if you like.  This is about a team, not about individuals.  And my team are set on gaining 14 1/2 points.  It doesn’t matter who is playing who or who gets them.”

Montgomerie revealed that McIlroy was upset that he had let the team down with his comments on Woods.

Some of the caddies decided to cheer up the Ulsterman by buying seven “Rory wigs” to lighten the mood on the first tee yesterday.

Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer and some of the caddies donned the mad-cap barnets to put a smile back on McIlroy’s face.

Monty said: ” I think Rory was quite upset with the comments that were made in the papers about this Tiger situation, and it was a little bit getting out of hand tabloidwise.
   
“So what we decided to do was find seven wigs, which God knows how people do that, but they do, especially ones looking like that. 

“And the caddies and the players that were playing with him decided that we’ll get Rory on the first tee and make him feel part of the team again. 

“And that was the right thing to do.  He played magnificent today.  So we’re all back on level terms again.”