Colin Montgomerie still bandies the tag ‘best player not to have won a major,’ but that may not be for long if the dazzling performance he put on during his opening round of 65 at Lytham is anything to go by.
The Scot was in blistering form to reach the turn in 30 shots.His five-under outward half consisted four birdies at the first, second and eighth and ninth. He added an eagle at the par five sixth and had just a solitary bogey at the previous hole.
From there Monty moved to six-under with another birdie at the 10th and continues to dominate the fairways with that characteristic march of his.
Matters threatened to disrupt the Montgomerie progress after a three putt for bogey on the 14th.However the Scot stayed resolute and finished the last four holes with single putts.Three of which were for par and a birdie at the last.
This is a monumental start by the Irish Open champion considering the pitiful record he has in the Open.For one who dominated the European Order of merit for seven years from 1993, Monty has missed the cut five times in his last nine attempts in the Open.
A host of players chase Montgomerie in on two-under, but outright second is currently held by American Brad Faxon who shot a three-under par 68.
"It’s nice to get off to a good start especially in the Open," said Faxon afterwards.He went on to say, "I love playing links golf over here and I just wish more of players from the States would make the effort."
Faxon had previously got himself into bother for publically canvassing in aid of links golf and the Open in his home country.
"I don’t think it’s hard for players (American) to fly over here, they owe it to themselves to make the effort," said Faxon.
His comments were prompted by the low number of American professionals who tried to pre-qualify for the Open.
Behind Faxon over 10 ten players are in the chase which includes names like Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Jesper Parnevik, Jose Maria Olazabal Jose Maria Olazabal Jose Maria Olazabal Jose Maria Olazabal and Pierre Fulke. The latter two Europeans are supposed to be out of sorts with their game.Apparently not.
Tiger Woods must remain patient after today. The defending champion finished on level par.
"I’m satisfied the way I played today.I kept myself in the tournament by hanging in there," said Woods.