Ryder Cup legend reveals the extreme measures he used to calm his mind

Longtime Ryder Cupper Colin Montgomerie reveals the wild multiplication technique he used in order to distract himself and calm his nerves.

Getty Images

The Ryder Cup is one of golf’s biggest events, with the pressure of playing for your country a heavy burden — even for the best golfers on the planet.

For instance, take current Team USA member Brooks Koepka’s recent comments, where he questioned the willingness and resolve of some players to handle the pressure of a putt to win the Ryder Cup.

“You’ve always got to believe you’re the best and want to be the best and have that drive, and that’s what’s going to put you over the edge,” Koepka said. “I think a lot of guys have it, but I don’t know how many guys would want an eight-footer with this on the line.”


Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg are among those making this a different type of European team.

5 Ryder Cup myths, debunked: Why Marco Simone will be different

By:


Dylan Dethier



That’s about as candid as it gets from Koepka, isn’t it?

Since the weight of a Ryder Cup can cripple any player, there are a variety of ways in which golfers try to block out the nerves and channel positive reinforcement. One of the most unique (and extreme!) ways comes from longtime Ryder Cup player Colin Montgomerie, who recently said he used to do multiplication on the tee to help distract him from any pressure.

How Colin Montgomerie tried to calm himself on the tee

In the video above, Montgomerie joined other Ryder Cup legends Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn to talk shop — but it was Monty’s comment about pre-shot multiplication that stole the show. Recalling the pressure of pulling the No. 1 position for Team Europe during the 2002 Ryder Cup, Monty admits he “wasn’t prepared” when his name topped the list.

“It was a very nervy situation,” Montgomerie said. “The gates open at 8:15 [in the morning], and my tee time was at 11:15; so it’s three hours of the stands getting packed. Everyone in anticipation … and it was up to you to get that momentum for Europe going. It’s a difficult task.

“I was really as nervous as I’ve ever been.”


Where is the Ryder Cup in 2023? Hosted by Marco Simone Golf & Country Club near Rome, Italy, we break down what to expect from the course

Where is the Ryder Cup? Meet Marco Simone Golf and Country Club

By:


Nick Dimengo



As Montgomerie continued to describe his nerves, he revealed something quite bizarre: He used a 37-times table to distract himself from the electric atmosphere.

“[I’m using] light hands on the grip, and doing my 37-times table, which I always do on the first tee,” he said.

Naturally, this gets the attention of both McGinley and Bjorn, along with host Nick Dougherty, who were all perplexed at the idea.

“I try to visualize something, and get away from the situation where I’m in,” he explains. “So I do my 37-times table,” he adds. “I go 37, 74, 111; and I keep going. So I was doing my 37-times table, and I’ve always done it since when I’ve got real pressure, and I want to get myself away from where I am.”

Montgomerie, obviously, was asked to explain the method further.

“As I tee it up I’m doing it, and as I’m walking back, I’m doing it as I strike the ball,” he says. “Under that extreme pressure, that’s what I do.”

This is one of the strangest pre-shot routines I’ve ever heard about — and, more importantly, a 37-times table isn’t easy. Not sure why Montgomerie didn’t just use a 15-times table, which seems easier, but, hey, whatever works.

Considering Montgomerie finished with the most individual points during the 2002 Ryder Cup (4.5) and compiled an overall record of 4–0–1, it’s proof it works for him.

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team.
If you buy a linked product,
GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.


TaylorMade Stealth 2 USA Driver 1

TaylorMade Stealth 2 Team USA Ryder Cup Driver

$599.99

60X CARBON TWIST FACE
Twenty years of development marks the end of the titanium era. The all new 60X Carbon Twist Face is 44% lighter than an equivalent titanium face, while also being 11% larger than SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers and nearly 20% larger than the 2020 SIM driver. Sixty layers of carbon fiber have been strategically designed to optimize energy transfer to deliver fast ball speeds over a large area, resulting in optimal distance and forgiveness.
NANOTEXTURE COVER
The 60X Carbon Twist Face is encased by a polyurethane cover, featuring a revolutionary new nanotexture technology. The nanotexture cover is used to fine tune launch and spin to optimize total distance regardless of playing conditions.
HIGH MOI DESIGN
The weight savings of the 60x Carbon Twist Face has allowed more weight to be positioned low and deep in the head, this will add 15% more MOI compared to Stealth Plus+.
ASYMMETRIC INERTIA GENERATOR
The Inertia Generator remains the foundational source of refined aerodynamic properties. The result is a slippery-fast head shape that aids in swing speed generation on the downswing for golfers at every level.
THRU-SLOT SPEED POCKET
Our most flexible Speed Pocket™ design engineered to maximize ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low face strikes.

View Product
nick dimengo golf instruction editor

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Golf Products Review
Logo
Shopping cart