Monty gets Woods seal of approval
Tiger Woods has hailed Colin Montgomerie’s eight European Order of Merit titles as “truly one of the remarkable feats of modern golf” and believes the Scot can one day win a major.
But Montgomerie has had little time to rest on his laurels after his record-breaking feat. Despite feeling “physically and mentally whacked” he is in Shanghai this week for the start of the new campaign – and has Woods to contend with at the £2.7m (€4m) HSBC Champions tournament.
They are paired together for the opening two rounds of Asian golf’s richest event ever, with the world number one commenting: “We battled this year at the Open and it’s always a lot of fun competing against Monty because he’s one of the best competitors out there.
“Monty winning eight (Order of Merit titles) is truly one of the remarkable feats of modern golf because of the consistency that is takes to do that.
“As far as winning a major championship in the future, I can certainly see Monty doing that because he still has the game to do it.
“He drives the ball very straight, and it’s just a matter of him putting all of the pieces together at the right time, just like anybody.
“Now with the added confidence that he has, he should be a factor in majors to come.”
There is mutual admiration between the two. When told of Woods’ assessment of his eight money list crowns the 42-year-old Scot raised his eyebrows and said: “That was nice of him – I appreciate it coming from him.
“As for his achievements I can’t say any more than anyone else has said. I truly believe that we have the best sportsman in the world playing the game of golf right now.
“Who could say that he would have won 10 majors before he was 30? And who knows if he can’t go on to have 19 majors in the bag? It would be astonishing to beat the one record (Jack Nicklaus’ 18) we always thought would remain safe.
“He has certainly rewritten every record book going and we’re all benefiting from the unique talent of Tiger Woods.”
Montgomerie has never won a tournament in which the American has been playing, but in finishing second to him at the Open in July did outscore him – 70 to 71 - in the one round when they were playing partners.
That was the springboard for Montgomerie to go on to clinch yet another Order of Merit at Valderrama two weeks ago, but the effort of it all took its toll.
“I was very tired and lethargic afterwards. It was such a draining experience,” said the Scot, whose caddie Alastair McLean also had the “jet-lag” feeling for days.
Now they both have that feeling to contend with for real after flying east - “always much more difficult than flying west’ – but Montgomerie added: “When you have a purpose and a job to do you get on with it.
“I’ll be fine after a good night’s rest.”
His mind was alert enough today, though, not to be caught out when a local reporter asked him when he might win a major.
“April,” he responded. “I would love to achieve it one day and the second Sunday in April is on the agenda.” After failing to qualify this year he is back in the Masters then, of course.
