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Monty questions McIlroy's Open preparation

Colin Montgomerie worries Rory McIlroy has harmed his Open chances © Getty Images

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• Profile: Rory McIlroy | Colin Montgomerie

Former Europe Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has questioned Rory McIlroy's decision not to play a competitive round between his US Open victory and the Open Championship, which starts next week.

McIlroy romped to his maiden major title at Congressional last month, before deciding to take off the entire three weeks before the third major of the year begins at Royal St George's in Kent.

Montgomerie, however, wonders if that will prove detrimental to the Northern Irishman's chances of clinching back-to-back major titles.

The 22-year-old skipped the BMW International in Germany and last week's Open de France, while he will also miss this week's Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

"I can understand two out of three, but I would like to have seen him play a competitive tournament between the two majors," said Montgomerie, who has never won a major title. "He's so natural I don't think there are any fears about his game, but it's the locker room - there are going to be so many people wanting to congratulate him.

"Whether it was the French or the Scottish Open he could have got that out of his system and out of the way so he can start the Open afresh.

"Now he's got that ahead of him and on the first tee I think he will be mentally tired - but who am I to say?"

Padraig Harrington is a man with experience of winning major championships, and the Irishman - who won the Open in 2007 and 2008 - agrees with Montgomerie that McIlroy will be the centre of attention in the locker room and could find the experience draining.

"When you've won and you go to your next tournament there are 155 other players and 155 other caddies who want to say 'Well done'," Harrington noted.

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