Golf: Monty cheered by Net support

COLIN MONTGOMERIE begins his campaign for a third successive Murphy's Irish Open title this week cheered by messages of support over his treatment at the recent US Open.

The Scot, subjected to heckling throughout the week at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, has had dozens of fans write to him on his Internet website.

"I've appreciated it very much and I've responded to every one," said the five-times European No 1, who believes he has made enemies simply by being the man who won the Ryder Cup match at Valderrama last year.

"Some were from Europe but there were many from America and it means a lot to me that they took the trouble to write. They said they were disgusted with how some of their fellow countrymen acted. You don't feel alone when people get in touch with you like that."

Montgomerie needed extra security for most of the championship.