An inward nine of 43 in Sunday’s final round of the Austrian Open was hardly the ideal preparation either, but the 42-year-old Scot remains optimistic about his prospects.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge this week as the US Open is my style of golf,” insisted the eight-time European number one.

“It’s a demanding test here but it’s not ridiculous. What’s encouraging is that I’m playing as well as I have done for a long time. In fact it’s almost unnerving.

“There’s real potential for me this week. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to sound cocky but I could have won in Wales and could, and should, have won in Austria after being one behind (during the final round).”

Another British player looking forward to the challenge posed by Winged Foot is England’s Ian Poulter, who had to qualify for the event – in Ohio last Monday - after finding himself outside the top 50 in the world rankings.

“No rough, wide fairways, flat greens,” was Poulter’s tongue-in-cheek verdict on the 7,246-yard layout, before adding: “It’s a typical US Open, you have to drive it straight.

“It’s very fair because I don’t think the long hitters are going to get on the green if they miss the fairway. It will put a lot of pressure on you off the tee and from there you have to control your irons.

“Distance control will be a huge factor this week, you don’t want to be hitting it through any greens or even 10 feet past many of these pins because you’ll have a lightning putt back down and you could putt it off the green.”

Poulter missed out on the US Masters in April due to his slide in the rankings but has been encouraged by recent form in the States.

“Qualifying for this was a massive boost,” he said.

“I was five-under at the Memorial with a bogey on the last, 36 holes the next day and 13-under, shooting six-under last Saturday at Westchester in a 30mph wind; I’m in shape.”

Poulter was among the early starters in today’s opening round – “Should be finished just in time to watch the second half of the England game,” he added - teeing off at 7.44am local time (12.44pm Irish time) with Americans Lucas Glover and Scott Verplank.

Warrington’s Phillip Archer, who missed a putt for the European Tour’s first 59 at the recent Wales Open, is in the first group out from the 10th tee at 7am (12pm Irish time), followed by Kenneth Ferrie.

From the first tee, Nick Dougherty and Graeme McDowell are in the third group out at 7.22am (12.22pm Irish time) while Montgomerie starts at 8.28am (1.28pm Irish time).

Defending champion Michael Campbell is among the afternoon starters alongside Tiger Woods, while Phil Mickelson begins his quest for a third straight major title at 7.55am (12.55pm Irish time).