Sir Sean Connery blasts lack of new Scottish golf talent

Sean Connery has echoed the sentiments of Colin Montgomerie on the lack of emerging golfing talent in Scotland - reports the Evening Express.

The Hollywood legend has backed the eight times Order of Merit winner’s claim that the country was going through a transition.

Sir Sean said: “We’ve been going through a transition for 30 years, like our rugby team.”

Connery, at Peterculter Golf Club with First Minister Alex Salmond to promote Homecoming Scotland 2009, said: “Colin is now 45 and he will soon be in the seniors.

“The next generation have looked really good, but for some reason they have not fulfilled their full promise.

“There is obviously something wrong with golf in Scotland that our own guys are not coming through.

“I hope it is not like the problems that there appears to be in British tennis.”

Both British No.1 Andy Murray – who was today beginning his bid to win Wimbledon – and World No.3 Novak Djokovic have attacked the mentality and work ethic of most of the British players in the game.

Sir Sean, 77, said: “Both Murray and Djokovic have claimed that the tennis coaching facilities in the United Kingdom were not being fully utilised because the players did not have the appetite to work, to really work.

“There is something wrong with golf in Scotland when we cannot produce any top players because there is no lack of golf courses in the country.”

Sir Sean agreed that the amateurs were making their mark and that Richie Ramsay’s victory in the US Amateur Championship in 2006 had given the sport a real lift.

Ramsay became the first Scot since 1898 to win the Championship when he beat American John Kelly 4&2 over the final 36 holes two years ago.

However, the Aberdonian has struggled to make an impact since turning professional last year.

The James Bond actor added: “It is the real leap from there that counts.

“I don’t know if the same issues apply in golf as in tennis.

“They do have courtesy cars and bookings made for them.

“Everything is done to accommodate them.

“They can go through a career in Europe and the United States without winning a tournament and make a very good living.

“It’s really unrelated to the skill as the money has been put in, but for how long I don’t know.”

Discuss this news here...