European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has said his lingering verbal spat with fellow Briton Sandy Lyle was finally over.

The two Scots became embroiled in a row during last month's British Open at Turnberry after Lyle suggested Montgomerie had "cheated" at a tournament in 2005.

"That matter is now closed," Montgomerie told reporters during preparation for this week's US PGA Championship at Hazeltine National where Lyle is working as a television analyst.

"I managed to speak to Sandy just before we came in here, which was good. I can't, unfortunately, say what was said.

"But that matter is now closed and I personally thought it was closed four-and-a-half years ago. It is now, believe me," he added with a smile.

The row began when Lyle referred to an incident at the 2005 Indonesian Open when television replays indicated his fellow Scot had incorrectly replaced his ball after an overnight weather delay.

After seeing video footage of the episode, Montgomerie agreed he had made an innocent mistake and decided to give his $40,000 prize money to the Tsunami Appeal.

Lyle later apologised for saying Montgomerie had "cheated" but the eight-times European number one responded by describing the apology as "strange".

Double major champion Lyle then refuelled the row by calling his countryman a "drama queen".