Monty upbeat about Open chances

Colin Montgomerie is remaining positive about his chances of winning his first major at The Open at Muirfield this week.

On Friday Montgomerie narrowly survived the halfway cut in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, shooting a nightmare round containing nine missed putts of 15 feet or less.

Even after a third round 69 things were only marginally better - but his closing 66 left him gushing with optimism for the week ahead.

Forgetting the putting as if it did not count, Montgomerie said: "I can't play any better than that. The competition is different next week, but if I do my thing I have a chance. Of course I do."

The 39-year-old Scot rated it a better round than his opening 65 in the 1997 US Open, always said to be the best 18 holes he has produced in a major.

"That's the best I've played in many, many years," he added.

"Putting has been my strength this season and I can't believe the way I putted and shot 66. A number of them were a lot less than 15 feet.

"But my distance control is all right now and I'm delighted with how I finished."

Montgomerie, leader of the Open for the first two days at Lytham last year, will practice at Muirfield on Tuesday evening and then decide whether he needs another round on Wednesday.

Asked if he thought a Tiger Woods victory was guaranteed next Sunday if the world number one is at the top of his game, he answered: "I think the weather has a great deal to do with it.

"Someone could shoot 65 early in the morning and then he could go out later and open with a 73. But if he gets the good side of the draw, he's hot favourite."

Montgomerie rejects the opinion floated by former greats Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player that the competition to Woods is not as great as it was in their day.

"I would say there is a lot more competition now. That's why he (Woods) is the best player that has ever played the game," said Monty.

"It appears the competition does wilt or isn't good, but that stems from the strength of him, not weakness in anybody else."