Can I change my pick to Monty:
OAKMONT, Pa. -- Colin Montgomerie's new caddie Billy Goddard knows not to rile his new employer by saying the wrong thing and the wrong time during the U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Goddard was recommended by the hosting club at the Pennsylvania venue to carry the bag for Montgomerie who has just split with caddie Alastair McLean.
"He said he would want a local caddie who knows the course and knows how to keep his mouth shut," said Goddard.
Goddard is among a dozen local caddies gainfully employed this week, but while most of the others are working for amateurs or obscure qualifiers, he has a high-profile assignment with a high-maintenance player.
The 62-year-old, who looks considerably younger with his blond hair and deep tan, has been caddying at Oakmont for 48 years.
Montgomerie is lucky in that regard because it goes without saying that Goddard has forgotten more about the course than most people will ever know.
Not that this necessarily means Montgomerie will lean on his bagman for advice, as the Scot asked for nothing more than yardages during their first round together on today.
"I told him if he needed another opinion, I'd be happy to help (but) I'm just going to do my job and keep my mouth shut," added Goddard.
Oakmont is one of the toughest courses in the US on a normal day, let alone when it is set up for a US Open, and Goddard predicts a score of five-over-par, the winning score last year at Winged Foot, will have a chance of winning.
"I expect it to be just brutal, every ball in the rough goes right down."
Goddard is no stranger to US Opens, having worked in 1973 for Miller Barber, who was paired for the final round with another Miller, Johnny, who shot a spectacular 63 to storm to victory.
Montgomerie is no stranger to Oakmont either, having been part of the three-way play-off won by Ernie Els when the Open was last held at the course in 1994.
But based on Montgomerie's recent form, the odds are long on his coming so close again, unless Goddard proves to be an inspiration.
Montgomerie parted from McLean after missing the cut at the Austrian Open last week and had initially worked together for 10 years until their first split in May 2002.
They reunited in August 2004, just before the Ryder Cup.