European number one Colin Montgomerie hopes the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth will kick-start his season after a remarkable 2005.

The 42-year-old Scot, who won his eighth Order of Merit title last year, has had an indifferent start to this season.

He tied for sixth in the Abu Dhabi Championship before failing to make the cut in last week's Dubai Desert Classic, but is confident of reviving his good form in Perth.

"There's only been a few tournaments since I won last," said Montgomerie, whose most recent victory came in the UBS Hong Kong Open in early December.

"Nothing much has happened since. I've played well enough and I'm looking forward to getting a podium finish at least.

"I've had a top-10 already at Abu Dhabi and I feel very confident playing here so we'll see."

Last week Montgomerie finalised his divorce settlement, reported to be £15 million, with ex-wife Eimear and that may have had a bearing on his performance in the Emirates.

He almost admitted as much when he said: "Last week I wasn't mentally prepared the way I probably am for a tournament.

"I've put that behind me and moved on to this week and I feel confident again. Now I'm ready to go. That's what I start every week for and I look forward to being there come Sunday afternoon."

Having regained a place in the world's top 10 last year Montgomerie has slipped to 12th but he is determined to rejoin the elite of world golf.

"It certainly was a bonus to get back in the top 10 and my goal for this year is to get back into the top 10. I'll be doing my best to try to do that. The greens are very severe and one has to be quite careful with the pin positions."

English duo Ian Poulter and Nick Dougherty, both Ryder Cup hopefuls, have a double agenda this week.

Poulter, at 67, and Dougherty, 69th, have to play well enough to elevate themselves into the world's top 64 if they are to play in the Accenture matchplay, the first World Golf Championship event of the year, later this month.

The cut-off date for deciding the line-up is Monday and so this is likely to be their last chance to gain entry into a tournament which is so important to Ryder Cup qualification because of the ranking points it carries.

Last season Poulter, who finished fourth in the WGC matchplay, failed to win a tournament for the first time in five seasons as a full member of the European Tour.

His best finish on the 2006 schedule is 10th - in Abu Dhabi - and he hopes to improve on that in Perth.

"I'm fresh, so there's no reason I can't go out there and win now," he said.

"I'm really happy with the way I'm hitting it right now. I've been working really hard.

"I'm comfortable with my golf play more than anything else."