Monty gives golf lessons in war-torn Afghanistan

Colin Montgomerie recently traveled to Kabul to provide golf lessons and equipment to both troops and children. He demonstrated shots on a firing range in Helmand and gave tips to kids who had never picked up a golf club.

"These kids, they were born into war and grew up in war and it's been very difficult," he said, adding he hoped that the Afghans might qualify a golf team for the 2016 Olympics, where golf will be played again. "It is great to promote the game here to encourage the Afghans to have a team there in 2016."

Mohammad Afzal Abdul, the golf pro at Kabul Golf Club, dubbed the most dangerous in the world, hopes Montgomerie will inspire new players in their country that has seen decades of occupation, civil war, Taliban rule, and NATO-led military campaign. 

"Maybe when Afghanistan's security is better, maybe more golfers will come," he said. 

Monty says Europe will beat United States at Ryder Cup

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie just can't stop himself from speaking. It is only January and he continues to talk about the Ryder Cup, which doesn't take place until October at Celtic Manor in Wales.

In his most recent interview, he talked more about Tiger Woods and how he thinks his team will do against the United States.

"We'd love to have him play in the Ryder Cup against us, although no one's quite sure how long this absence from the game is going to be," he said.

"A lot depends on whether Tiger plays, as he hasn't lost in the singles. But if our 12 play to their potential, with the crowd's backing, we will win," he added.

The 2010 Ryder Cup will be a huge event as the United States will look to defend the Cup. The U.S. will be led by captain Corey Pavin, and the team is surely keeping track of every comment Montgomerie makes.

If nothing else, at least Montgomerie is promoting the event early and often.

Tiger Woods Update

New Year. Same Story.

Tiger continues to provide the only interesting news in the golf world thus far in 2010.

I didn't know you could go to jail for having cheated on your wife but these photos were taken by Annie Leibovitz at Pelican Bay. Just wait until you see the prison tats all over his back.

But seriously, this is definitely a new look for Tiger. These photos were supposedly taken in 2006 and are accompanied by this article.

AP photo / Michael Dwyer

On Tiger's recent trip to Australia, he brought in over 31 million dollars to the economy. Woods was a huge draw at the Australian Masters and brought in over 107,000 spectators to the pro-am, the practice round, and the four day tournament.

"This was truly a great event for Melbourne and Victoria that delivered a massive boost to our tourism industry, attracted thousands of visitors to our state and beamed Melbourne to a global audience," state Premier Rob Hulls said. "Due to unprecedented ticket sales and public interest, the actual impact was almost double what was forecast."

This was the last tournament in played in prior to his car crash, which of course he won.

EA Sports is sticking with Tiger at this point. EA Sports President Peter Moore said that the company decided to stick with Woods because he is "still one of the greatest athletes in history." Moore added that the company spent considerable time developing and testing the new game, "Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online," which he considers a "breakthrough experience."

Even Tiger's caddie, Steve Williams is in the news. The caddie has won two consecutive motorsport races down under while on vacation from his day job.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie loves talking. He had a lot to say about Tiger on a recent radio appearance such as:

"It is absolutely impossible to play good golf with all that going on."

"There is no question there was an aura about Tiger Woods over this incredible record he has, not just in majors but in other world events. That wall has been split slightly and there are cracks. It gives us more opportunity to find ways of winning these events now and I am thinking of myself as well as my peers."

Sorry Monty, you don't have a chance.