Monty has positive attitude to Order of Merit task
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Colin Montgomerie is determined to will come out fighting at the Belgacom Open today in his attempt to recover from some poor recent performances and win the European Tour Order of Merit.
Colin Montgomerie is determined to will come out fighting at the Belgacom Open today in his attempt to recover from some poor recent performances and win the European Tour Order of Merit.
Montgomerie faces a stiff task this week with Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn also competing in the £615,000 event here at Belgium's historic links course.
The only leading players to stay away are Ernie Els, currently third on the money list and at home resting in South Africa, and Nick Faldo, fifth on the Ryder Cup points table and taking a week off. Clarke, the Order of Merit leader, heads the second-placed Westwood by £49,500 and is nearly £500,000 ahead of Montgomerie, who is struggling in fifth.
Montgomerie, who finished a lowly 46th in the Lancÿme Trophy in Paris last week, said: "My current form is obviously not as good as I would like but at the same time I have been practising an awful lot at Wisley in my time off.
"I've got this tournament and three big tournaments - the German Masters, Volvo Masters and Valderrama - to come. I am as determined as ever. I know I am good enough to win all these tournaments and I would like to try and win three out of four and the Order of Merit. That is now becoming a goal.
"Although I am way behind and people have given up on me, I haven't and I never will. I came from fifth in the last tournament to win the Order of Merit in 1993 and I'll have to do a similar thing again this year."
Clarke, who earlier this week confirmed his place in next month's Cisco World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, admits that with four events still remaining Montgomerie is still very much in the Order of Merit picture.
"Monty, as good a player as he is, is capable of shooting a lot of good scores, and with that amount of money to play for on the last couple of weeks, he has a lot of experience," said Clarke, who won his first ever Tour event on the Royal Zoute course seven years ago.
* For the first time since 1937 a member of the Royal Family is to become captain of the Royal and Ancient Club, golf's ruling body. The Duke of York, a seven-handicapper who has been a member of the club since 1992, has been nominated for the position for the year 2003-2004 - the club's 250th anniversary. Prince Andrew, who currently serves on the club's amateur status committee, will be the sixth royal to be captain. The others were the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) in 1863, Prince Leopold in 1876, the Prince of Wales (later King George V) in 1922, the Duke of York (later King George VI) in 1930 and the Duke of Kent in 1937.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments