In the aftermath of the double-bogey finish that cost the 42-year-old Scot the chance of a first major title it was reported that Montgomerie threw a tee-peg at a child, pushed a police officer and snubbed the prize-giving ceremony.

"I threw a tee into the ground. It was towards somebody, but not at somebody," commented Montgomerie, who is back in his home country this week for the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

"I just threw it into the ground because I was disappointed in my drive at the 17th.

"The accusation about the state trooper, he actually bumped me, not me bumping him. There was nothing in that at all.

The prize presentation, I was asked and Jim Furyk (another joint runner-up) was asked to attend if it was possible even though we didn't have to. Jim Furyk and I had flights to catch."

Walter Driver, president of the United States Golf Association, drew attention to the absence of Montgomerie and Furyk at the ceremony, praising Phil Mickelson for being in attendance after he had double-bogeyed the last to be second as well.