HOYLAKE, England - Colin Montgomerie, who came agonisingly close to winning last month's US Open, predicted he had about 20 more chances to land an elusive first major golf championship.
"I have just turned 43 and up until 48 they should be quite good majors...to compete," the eight-times European No
1 said today in the run up to the British Open.
"If I have 20 more, I will hopefully be in contention in four of them. You never know, one of them I might win."
Montgomerie led on the 72nd tee in the US Open at Winged Foot before a double-bogey at the last handed the title to Australian Geoff Ogilvy.
The experienced Briton, second in a major on five occasions, was in positive mood about his most recent near-miss.
"I went into that event 21st or 22nd in the world and came within a whisker of winning," said the Scot.
"So I cannot complain about that... it's okay, you know.
"I try and take the positives from most things. If I took the negatives from everything I wouldn't be here, believe me.
"Okay, I didn't win but I finished second and I am 43 years old. That's okay."
Montgomerie, who will play alongside American John Daly and Stuart Appleby of Australia in Thursday's first round at Hoylake, was runner-up to Tiger Woods in last year's championship at St Andrews.
Ryder Cup team mate Luke Donald said the crowd would welcome a Montgomerie triumph on Sunday.
"Colin has had a lot of near-misses, none more so than the last major at the US Open," said the 28-year-old Briton.
"It would definitely be a great atmosphere if he was coming up 18 with a two or three-shot lead."
- REUTERS
