How do you like your U.S. Open caddie? Monty wants one that "knows the course and will keep his mouth shut"

OAKMONT, Pa. - Colin Montgomerie has come painfully close in too many majors, including last year’s U.S. Open where he bogeyed the final hole, and the last time it was staged at Oakmont in 1994 where he lost in a playoff.

Monty hopes a little local help might put him over the top this week. He decided last week he wanted a local looper and called Oakmont. They gave him 49-year veteran Billy Goddard.

“He called last week looking for a caddie that knew the course and keeps his mouth shut,” said Goddard.

Goddard says he thinks he’s done that on both fronts so far. He also says Monty looks good, but is of course being quietly cautious.

“You never know when things could turn around here…” He said.

Montgomerie seems confident he made the right decision at the last minute.

“Ben Crenshaw won with a local caddie twice at Augusta,” justified Montgomerie on the practice green this morning. “They know the greens.”

Monty isn’t alone. Goddard is one of a dozen local caddies being used this week in a 156-player field.

Does this make Montgomerie a favorite? Not necessarily, and I don’t think the Europeans break the 37-year snide at America’s Open. I get the feeling the trophy might be headed to the southern hemisphere again.

In other news, Phil Mickelson teed off the 10th hole late this morning for nine holes. He roped a drive down the middle and stuck his approach to a front-right pin closer than anyone in his foursome. Short game coach Dave Pelz, walking along side has called the 10th America’s toughest par 4 for its green nearly impossible to hold.

Maybe those who think Lefty is toast this week (myself included) have underestimated him.

More to come later today from Oakmont, including the PGA’s favorite ham, Rory Sabbatini.