Monty shines in landmark tournament
Colin Montgomerie back to his best
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Thursday, 26, Mar 2009 09:13
Colin Montgomerie marked his 500th European Tour event with a superb first round five-under-par 67 at the Open de Andalucia.
The Europe Ryder Cup captain started in scintillating fashion by birdying four of his first six holes and putted a total of seven birdies and two bogeys in his round. Montgomerie is one stroke off fellow Scot Chris Doak who carded a brilliant bogey-free first round of six-under-par 66.
Montgomerie is tied at second place alongside Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin, Juan Parron of Spain and Scotsman Steven O'Hara.
"It was a nostalgic day, thinking about all sorts of things," admitted Montgomerie. "People say that being the Ryder Cup captain will hurt my game, but I think it will do the exact opposite.
"I think it will improve my performances over this next year and a half. I'm very relaxed on the course, less uptight.
"I've thought about the captaincy every minute of every day since I was appointed, but it's nice to show I can still compete out here at 45 and I look forward to going forward from here."
It was also a day to remember for Doak, who is ranked 1,329th in the world and had to go to Tour school seven times before getting his European Tour card last November.
Thomas Bjorn is one of six players in third place after he finished with a first round four-under-par 68. Meanwhile, veteran Spaniards Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez could only manage rounds of 74.