Scot Watch - Breaking News

Colin Montgomerie is upbeat about his chances for the week.

Fergus Bisset
By
published

11.30 Media Centre

Colin Montgomerie has just given a press conference. The 44-year-old seemed relaxed and confident about the week ahead. ?I have a chance.? He said. ?I?m playing well and I?ve got a good time for tomorrow. If we get off to a decent start we can get into contention. The start is very important.? I?m just a little concerned with that last line. Monty has real issues when it comes to heaping pressure on himself, how will he manage if he gets off to a mediocre start?

Montgomerie is greatly buoyed by his win in the European Open two weeks ago. ?I?d begun to worry the win in Hong Kong in 2005 might be my last.? He said. ?Now I hope the European Open in 2007 won?t be my last.? The Scot feels it?s irrelevant the victory came on a course that?s very different to Carnoustie. ?It was a confidence booster, that?s all I can say. A win?s a win. I wouldn?t care if it came in a car park.?

Monty still has the game to beat the best in the world and he clearly believes that. When asked if he was still in his prime he said. ?I?d damn well hope so. I won 10 days ago for Christ?s sake.?

Colin was also asked about his views on the mobile phone ban. He replied to the question with a serious face. ?No, I?m actually fine with mobile phones and cameras on the course. They don?t bother me at all.? Then the hint of a wry smile appeared on his face. ?It?s guys like Retief and others who are easily distracted that I really feel for.?

The press conference finished with a message of encouragement for all the Scottish players in the field. ?I wish all the Scots who?ve qualified well.? He said. That should rally the troops. When pressed which Scot had the best chance this week he replied, ?We?ll take our chances.? I?m assuming that to be the Royal we.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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