European number one
Colin Montgomerie on Wednesday made light of criticism
by Nick Faldo that he was happy to play in a "comfort zone" in Europe.
Faldo said it was
time for Montgomerie, a key member of the European Ryder Cup team, to test
himself on the U.S. Tour more.
"He (Montgomerie)
is in a comfort zone and he knows he only has to play half decent and he's
there...I guess he's happy with a fat cheque each week."
Montgomerie, in St-Nom-La-Breteche
to play in the Lancome Trophy, said: "I've always considered Nick and I
to be good friends and I'm equally sure something has been made out of
nothing and that his comments were not meant to harm anybody in the European
Ryder Cup team.
"He knows that with
my family commitments I'm unable to play full-time in America and I suspect
some of his comments have been taken out of context
"He knows as well
as I do that I am as ambitious as the next guy."
Montgomerie has been
European number one for six successive seasons but has yet to win a major.
