Golf: Monty bids to exorcise Augusta ghosts

Colin Montgomerie is aiming to put his Masters misery behind him in the Algarve Portuguese Open at Quinta do Lago.

Montgomerie has not played since missing the cut at Augusta three weeks ago.

But the Scot should be inspired by returning to the Algarve and the scene of his first European Tour victory in 1989.

The former European number one carded a final-round 63 12 years ago to set the course record which still stands, and a 24-under-par total for an 11-shot victory, a margin only beaten on tour by Tiger Woods at last year's US Open.

And the world number five hopes such good memories will help banish those from the first major of the year, when he was a mere spectator as Woods followed up victories in last year's US Open, Open and USPGA.

Asked what he had been doing since Augusta, the 37-year-old replied with a smile: "Thinking about it, or not as the case may be.

"That was a poor performance, I didn't play well, I actually putted okay but my game from tee to green was very very poor for me.

"Obviously if that's the case you go home early and have a think about if for a couple of days, how I can think my way around that course better.

"I haven't done well at the Masters for 10 years but it hasn't affected me for the rest of the year and hopefully this will be no different.

"Are there any particular holes? It starts at the first and goes on too long! If it stopped at the first it would be okay!"

After Augusta Montgomerie went on a family holiday to Switzerland - "They skied I didn't, I need my legs!" - before arriving at Quinta do Lago on Tuesday for a practice round followed by Wednesday's pro-am.

"Tuesday was my first shot since the Masters," he admitted. "It was okay and because of the number of dog-legs you have to figure out what clubs to use.

"I might actually change my driver to one with more loft to carry the bunkers on the dog legs and stop the ball.

"Length is certainly not a premium here, accuracy is. Technology hasn't really overtaken this style of golf course and that is good.

"I don't think my 24 under of 12 years ago will be beaten and that is the mark of a good golf course."