july18 monty

Can Colin Montgomerie win a Major? It’s the one question on everyone’s mind at the start of another Open Championship and Monty, as always, is the home-crowd favourite. At just shy of 44 years of age many believe the Scot is past his sell-by date, but with his recent victory in the European Open, Monty is optimistic that with his good form this could be his best chance in a decade.

“Many people say that coming up 44 is seniors’ golf, well that doesn’t really interest me at this stage at all,” Monty told a packed out Open press conference this morning. “If I’m 52 and capable of playing, I’ll play out here.”

Monty’s win at the K-Club just 10 days ago has given him a massive confidence boost going into this week. “The win was fabulous for me because after 19 months I wasn’t sure whether it was going to happen again. It gives you confidence over the ball, over any shot.”

As for his chances of lifting the Claret Jug at the end of this week, Monty believes it will all come down to putting. “I’m playing as well as I have tee-to-green for many years, I’ve just got to accelerate through the putts. I’m going to putt in a matchplay mode this week. I’m thinking of every putt here as a halve, and every putt for a halve is never short; it can’t be.”

Not only was Monty born and bred on the Scottish links, he’s also the course record holder at Carnoustie – shooting 64 back when Carnoustie was still a par 72. Those two factors alone make him one of the bookies each-way favourites. Monty insists that the home crowd support is invaluable. “I’m a very proud Scot and it’s an absolute blessing. I just hope the weather is fair for us. If it’s going to rain I want it to rain all day so the conditions are the same for everyone.”