Montgomerie back in the old Wentworth routine

By Tony Jimenez

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie shrugged off a woeful run of form and the distractions of Ryder Cup captaincy to move into contention for a record-equalling fourth PGA Championship victory on Thursday.

The 45-year-old Briton, who won the European Tour's flagship event in 1998, 1999 and 2000, fired a first-round 69 at Wentworth.

Montgomerie finished a lowly 41st in the Irish Open last Sunday after missing the cut in the preceding Italian and Spanish Opens.

"It's consistency I'm lacking," the Scot told reporters. "In the late 1990s when I was winning here, I was very much more consistent.

"(But) if I was ever happy with 20th place I would stop playing this game. I have to set my goals the way they were, which was to win."

Montgomerie, who ended his opening round with a birdie four at the 17th and an eagle-three at the 18th, said the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy was proving a burden on his own game.

"It is a huge distraction," said the eight-times European number one. "I had three hours of meetings yesterday afternoon.

"I am trying to do three or four jobs at the one time but the 69 today is good."