Monty happy to be written off

Jul 17 2008 by Mark Garrod, Liverpool Daily Post

COLIN MONTGOMERIE believes he can challenge for Open glory this weekend.

And the Scot is relieved that no-one is playing up his chances after an inconsistent season.

The eight-times European Order of Merit winner feels the shackles have been taken off as he goes into the Royal Birkdale tournament a 100-1 shot to win his first Major.

Montgomerie said: "Before, in the 90s, when I was number one in Europe, it was expected I did very well and competed and contended and was due to win a couple.

"Now it’s slightly different. My consistency is not as good as it once was so I’m going in here free, almost, without any form of expectation.

"I think when you are expected to do something it’s quite difficult to achieve."

The 45-year-old does not mind hearing himself being written off.

"It’s great because I haven’t myself," he said. "I don’t care really what they feel about Monty, that he‘s not a contender.

"If I can hole out from six, seven, eight foot consistently, the way I used to, I can contend here. That’s all I need to do, contend coming into Sunday afternoon, then I have a chance."

However, Montgomerie would settle for a performance good enough to take him into top 10 in Europe’s Ryder Cup table.

"I have won this European thing eight times but, if you look back at my career, the Ryder Cup would be first on people‘s lips," said Montgomerie, who sits 13th after missing the cut at the Barclays Scottish Open.

"Put it this way, if I do well enough here to get into the Ryder Cup, I would take it right now."