British Open: Monty Talks Tough
Says he's ready to triumph
Colin Montgomerie last night declared he is ready to win his home Open and end European golf's five-year Major drought.
While Lee Westwood said he will become a recluse to avoid the pressure at Royal Troon, Monty exuded his old self-confidence after finishing the Barclays Scottish Open with his third sub-70 round of the week at Loch Lomond yesterday.
Frenchman Thomas Levet claimed the title by a shot from Michael Campbell thanks to a stunning closing eight-under-par 63.
He also booked the final ticket to Troon for The Open, in which no European has triumphed since Paul Lawrie won at Carnoustie in 1999.
And the bullish Monty, who only qualified for The Open a fortnight ago, reckons it is time to end that sorry record.
"Never mind Europe, it's definitely time there was a Scottish winner - and you are talking to him," he said after a closing 67.
"This is certainly the most relaxed I have been going into a Troon Open. For the last decade the Americans have had the top players since our Langer and Seve and Faldo and Lyle and that mob.
"And now with the public support behind me of course you can't help looking forward. Walking away now I can't think of any negatives, only positives."
Monty, who is finding his form since the break-up of his marriage, also laughed off reports linking him with a 22-year-old Danish woman. "I am on my own, lads," he promised.
"You'll be the first to know but I woke up on my own this morning and I will go to bed on my own tonight."
Montgomerie will be up against the massive threat of Tiger Woods, who declared he'd need a slice of luck to win The Open.
The US star arrived at the famous old Troon course yesterday afternoon for a low-key practice round - and straight into a storm over his credentials to still be regarded as the best.
Woods needs to get back to the top form that made him the most feared competitor in the world and helped him to his only Open win at St Andrews four years ago.
And last night Open rival Luke Donald said: "Tiger is still the No.1 attraction because no-one pulls the crowds like him - but whether he is still the No.1 player is another matter.
"It's a close call between him, Ernie, Phil, Retief and Vijay. That group are out on their own, and they are very close to each other.
"But it's obvious Tiger isn't playing as well as he was a couple of years ago, and the other players are no longer intimidated by him."
Over at Loch Lomond yesterday Westwood shot a closing 65 which gave him a top-10 finish to follow his second place at the Smurfit European Open last week.
"We've had Henmania - I just want to keep it low key and stay out of the way and not get caught up in the hype," he said.
"There is no point in doing it. This year I am going into it fresh. I'm going to be reclusive."
But Westwood admitted he was taking his best form into a Major since he won the Order of Merit in 2000. "It is nice to be playing well going into next week," he said.
"It is the best I have been playing going into a Major for four years or so."
Levet started the final day seven shots off the lead but raced past the field by coming home in 29. Campbell missed a 15-footer at the last to force a play-off.
It was the third European Tour title for Levet - and each one has arrived while his wife Caroline is pregnant. Their third child is due in October.
"I think I am going to keep making kids," he laughed.
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