Monty now a Tiger backer, not a Tiger basher
By PAUL NEWBERRY / AP Sports Writer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- One thing is certain: Colin Montgomerie
won't be making any more predictions about the downfall of Tiger
Woods at Augusta National.
A year ago, when Woods led Montgomerie by three shots heading
into the third round of the Masters, the Scotsman suggested his
experience in major championships would overcome Woods' physical
advantage.
The next day, Woods built a commanding nine-shot lead over
the rest of the field and Montgomerie was eating his words. Now,
he sounds like the president of the Tiger Woods Fan Club.
"I think we'll look at that name for the next 10 years
here," Montgomerie said Tuesday. "He's obviously a very,
very hot favorite, and I feel it will take somebody very good
and on their game and getting the fortune when they need it to
beat him."
Montgomerie showed up at Augusta National this week facing
the same question as always: When are you going to win that first
major championship?
Twice, Monty has lost in playoffs, falling short at the U.S.
Open in 1994 and the PGA Championship in '95. Last year, he was
second to Ernie Els at the U.S. Open.
"Sometimes I get frustrated and sometimes I don't,"
Montgomerie said. "To bring it up so much brings pressure
on the situation. But I've said many times before that if I don't
hit another ball, I'll be very satisfied with the career I've
had."
Montgomerie, who plays regularly on the European Tour, has
had hit-and-miss success during his four U.S. appearances this
year. He missed the cut in two events, but was third in the Honda
Classic and tied for eighth at Bay Hill.
"I went all last year without missing a cut," he
said. "Now I've missed a couple in a month, which isn't like
me. But at the same time, I feel quite confident here."
Oh, really?
Augusta National has never been one of Montgomerie's favorite
courses. He wound up in a tie for 30th last year after going 11-over-par
in the final two rounds. In six trips to the Masters, his best
performance is a tie for 17th.
There are no roughs at Augusta to hinder the big hitters like
Woods, which negates the advantage that Montgomerie often gets
from his more accurate drives.
"Obviously, my game is more suited to a U.S. Open style
of play," Montgomerie said. "But at the same time, I'm
getting used to this course, and the practice rounds have shown
me that I'm capable of a birdie on any hole at any time. So I'm
going to take that on. I'm positive about it."
He's not so positive about losing his caddie. Alastair McLean,
who has worked with Montgomerie for seven years, returned to Europe
to undergo back surgery, forcing the golfer to pick up a local
caddie for this week's tournament.
"It's a bit of a blow," Montgomerie admitted. "I
happen to be one who's quite dependent on my caddie. We get along
very well on the course and, obviously, I've had a lot of success
over the last six or seven years."
Montgomerie hopes McLean will be recovered in time for the
U.S. Open in June. For this week, Montgomerie is using Joe Collins,
a caddie at Augusta National for 27 years who has worked with
golfers such as Jay Haas.
Montgomerie and Collins worked together in a practice round
Tuesday, trying to develop a rapport with the start of the tournament
only two days away. The golfer said he was willing to listen to
his new caddie, particularly when it comes to the lightning-quick
greens at Augusta National.
"Oh sure, I'm always open to advice, especially around
here," Montgomerie said. "If there's a certain putt
that I might not be happy with, well, I'll take his advice. I
did today and it worked out pretty well."
Still, it was apparent Montgomerie will miss having McLean
at his side.
"I just feel a little bit on my own," he said. "I've
got to do the yardages. Not that Joe doesn't know the yardages,
but I just feel I've got to do that myself this week."
And, if that means he has to watch Woods slip on another green
jacket, no problem. Remember, Monty is a Tiger backer now, not
a Tiger basher.
"If he wins as easy as he did last year, what's the problem?"
he asked. "He's obviously very, very good. What's wrong with
that? If somebody's that good at golf, that means everybody else
has to go up a level, especially around here."
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