Monty goes sailing

DIVOTS

Colin Montgomerie will put his golf clubs to one side next year when he tries his hand at sailing. The 40-year-old former European No 1 will join Emma Richards' crew for one leg of the 30,000-nautical mile Volvo Ocean Race.

It is Montgomerie's way of supporting other Scottish sports people. He said, "I greatly admired Emma's inspirational solo circumnavigation last year and feel privileged to be invited to become a member of her team."

Clarke turns a new leaf

Darren Clarke has given up cigarettes, cigars and beer. And that seemed to have helped as he shot a good opening round of six-under 67 at the Mercedes Championship.

Clarke ran himself ragged playing around the world in November and December and his form was dreadful, so he happily took a couple of weeks off over Christmas, while still maintaining his new fitness regime, and has shed more than two stones.

New hat, new logo, same player

Jim Furyk has a new hat and a new logo on his bag, but nothing else about his equipment has changed this year. It's part of Callaway Golf acquiring Top-Flite Golf Co last fall for $174.4 million.

Furyk has the Top-Flite logo on his bag (instead of Hogan) and on his cap (instead of Strata). He continues to play the same Strata ball, only it will be called the Top-Flite Strata.

Kingston leads SA charge

South Africa took all four qualifying spots for the 133rd Open Championship from Africa's International Final Qualifying tournament at Atlantic Beach Golf Club. Veteran James Kingston finished three shots clear of the field.

He will be joined at Troon in July by 21-year-old Louis Oosthuizen, Tjaart van der Walt and Grant Muller, who beat Bruce Vaughan, of the US, on the first play-off hole to claim the fourth spot.

Bogeyman