Golf-Improved putting makes Montgomerie optimistic (Reuters)
July 8, 2009
By Tony Jimenez
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, July 8 (Reuters) – Colin Montgomeriemay have gone a year without a top-10 finish in Europe but hebelieves an improved putting display in last week’s French Openis a signal of better performances to come.
“I’m still making far too many mistakes but I had 19 birdiesand an eagle last week which is more than the winner (MartinKaymer) got,” he told reporters on the eve of the Scottish Open.
“I made 16 mistakes, six is too many, never mind 16. But I’mtaking positives from the amount of birdies I am making and thatmeans the putting is coming back,” said Montgomerie who finishedjoint 13th in St Quentin.
The 46-year-old always loves returning to the picturesquebanks of Loch Lomond, venue of his Scottish Open triumph 10years ago, and it will keep his competitive juices flowing.
“I haven’t had a top-10 for a year now in Europe and it’sabout time that changed,” said the Scot.
“I’m very positive. I know the course better than anybodyand I look forward to this week, I always do.”
TURNBERRY PRAISE
Montgomerie was also upbeat about his prospects for nextweek’s British Open at Turnberry, especially as the pressure isless fierce than it was when he was accumulating eight order ofmerit titles in his heyday.
“Now the expectation is not the same so I can go in somehowunder the radar and enjoy next week playing on the best coursein Britain,” said the 2010 Ryder Cup captain.
“It’s just a shame we haven’t been there for 15 yearsbecause it’s a fantastic setup. I was there last Monday and itlooks in pristine condition.”
Montgomerie said Turnberry had the most character of all thelinks courses on the Open rota.
“It doesn’t go (nine holes) straight out and (nine holes)straight back (like many do) and it is quite a hilly coursebecause of the cliffs over to the (Ailsa) lighthouse,” he said.
“The green sizes, green depths, green designs, banks, hills,dunes, it’s got everything. A tremendous golf course.”
“About two weeks ago they allowed the members on. There wereabout 150 starters and they left 480 (lost) balls on the course,that’s over three a player.
“That proves you must avoid the rough at all cost.”
(Editing by Barry Moody. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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