Colin Montgomerie returned to the rank and file of the European Tour with a decent 72 in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and believes he knows what he needs to do to get even close to where he was: pump iron in the gym.
His first working day in years not spent as European Ryder Cup captain was solid enough, but playing with one of his team in Martin Kaymer alerted him to the power deficiency he needs to correct to be one of the few players to compete at the top this far into his forties.
“Getting the team down to 12 was hard, getting eight on the course on the first day was even harder because that’s the standard,” he said. “Martin’s long, and that’s the competition. I need to find 20 to 30 yards off the tee to be able to compete.
“Technology might be one way but I’m using the best technology affordable, so I’m not sure that’s the way. Drugs? That’s what you (the media) want me to say.
“I suppose there’s nothing else but (to get) into the gym to lift those weights I’ve never lifted. I’ve got five years to do this I’m exempt on tour until I’m 51 and I have to make an extra effort and attain new standards.
“To do that I’ve really got to work on and off the course. I’d love to be able to come back and win again. Very few people got better in their 40s Vijay Singh’s the only one. I guess Miguel Angel Jimenez has sustained it better than most, but I’ve got to improve and be one of the few people who can do it. I’m not saying I can but it’s a goal.”
Montgomerie was at least more relaxed than at any time during the last few weeks, playing with his elder brother Douglas in front of galleries that were noticeably larger than any Dunhill event at Kingsbarns since it went to the pro-team format over three courses.
“All things considered, 72 was a bloody good effort. I was very rusty and hadn’t played for a month. The weather was a delight and we were clapped on and off every green.”
Monty’s par round was only good for a share of 81st place, but it was a decent day for the Scots over all three courses, with perhaps only Richie Ramsay at Carnoustie left with any lasting regrets.
The Aberdonian tied for fourth here last year in what was his real breakthrough on tour was six-under entering the famous final stretch of the Championship Course in conditions unlikely to be more favourable but he dropped shots at each of the last three holes and had to content himself with a three-under 69.
Stephen Gallacher, at St Andrews, also had a 69 to continue his consistent run, while Andrew Coltart also shot 69 at Kingsbarns.
There were also solid performances by Marc Warren (70) and former champion Paul Lawrie (71) on the Old Course but the leading Scot at St Andrews was the Dubai exile Alan McLean, who rattled off six birdies in a row on the front nine of the Old Course to card a 68.
Steven O’Hara was also under par with a 71 but Carnoustie’s Keir McNicoll had a rough back nine on the Old Course to finish with a five-over 77.