Improved putting makes Montgomerie optimistic

By Tony Jimenez

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie may have gone a year without a top-10 finish in Europe but he believes an improved putting display in last week's French Open is a signal of better performances to come.

"I'm still making far too many mistakes but I had 19 birdies and an eagle last week which is more than the winner (Martin Kaymer) got," he told reporters on the eve of the Scottish Open.

"I made 16 mistakes, six is too many, never mind 16. But I'm taking positives from the amount of birdies I am making and that means the putting is coming back," said Montgomerie who finished joint 13th in St Quentin.

The 46-year-old always loves returning to the picturesque banks of Loch Lomond, venue of his Scottish Open triumph 10 years ago, and it will keep his competitive juices flowing.

"I haven't had a top-10 for a year now in Europe and it's about time that changed," said the Scot.

"I'm very positive. I know the course better than anybody and I look forward to this week, I always do."

TURNBERRY PRAISE

Montgomerie was also upbeat about his prospects for next week's British Open at Turnberry, especially as the pressure is less fierce than it was when he was accumulating eight order of merit titles in his heyday.

"Now the expectation is not the same so I can go in somehow under the radar and enjoy next week playing on the best course in Britain," said the 2010 Ryder Cup captain.

"It's just a shame we haven't been there for 15 years because it's a fantastic setup. I was there last Monday and it looks in pristine condition."

Montgomerie said Turnberry had the most character of all the links courses on the Open rota.

"It doesn't go (nine holes) straight out and (nine holes) straight back (like many do) and it is quite a hilly course because of the cliffs over to the (Ailsa) lighthouse," he said.

"The green sizes, green depths, green designs, banks, hills, dunes, it's got everything. A tremendous golf course."

"About two weeks ago they allowed the members on. There were about 150 starters and they left 480 (lost) balls on the course, that's over three a player.

"That proves you must avoid the rough at all cost."