Colin Montgomerie revealed he intends making his Senior’s debut at the 2013 Senior Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Monty is still some two years away from turning 50 and in the month before the event in Southport.
And the Scot is so enthusiastic about making his ‘oldies’ debut that he seems to be counting the days.
“I turn 50 on June 23rd, 2013 and with the R & A recently announcing the Seniors Open will be played at Royal Birkdale, I thought to myself why not play,” said Monty.
“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t play. It’s an easy drove down from Scotland to Royal Birkdale and I am sure that I will enjoy the week.
“That would be my ‘Senior’s’ debut, if you like, so what better venue and tournament to make my debut that the Senior Open Championship.
“And Royal Birkdale is one of the fairest venues on the Open Championship rota.
“It’s the best Open venue in England by a mile and that part of England is just a lovely spot, and it’s just good that it’s hosting the Seniors British Open in 2013.”
But Monty, as he has done in the past, indicted he would not play a full Senior’s schedule given his many business and golf course design commitments off the course at present.
He also is currently employed by SKY TV as an analyst at the Majors and WGC’s.
“No, I will not play a full schedule but I would certainly play the Senior Major’s, and I think I would enjoy that type of schedule,” said Monty.
Monty is among big contingent of 11 Scots contesting this week’s Portugal Masters.
And Monty’s gone back to using the belly putter, the same one he used in 2002 to win twice and to also capture 4 ½ points and help steer Sam Torrance’s European Team to victory in the Ryder Cup.
Monty dusted off the putter from ‘one of my garages at home’ and immediately started single putting.
“I’ve gone back to the belly putter as 19 out of the top 30 players in the Tour Championship used belly putter,” said Monty.
“Just pure facts made me go back to it.
“I should have finished a lot, lot higher at the Dunhill Links as I only shot 66 on Saturday, yes 66, but it should have been a lot lower than that.
“I had a 70 on Sunday again should have been lower, so I thought I would change.”
According to Sports Marketing Survey’s Inc that monitor clubs, equipment and balls, 10 players used belly putters during last week’s Madrid Masters.
A further three were wielding broomstick or long-handled putters.
And while Monty has switched back to the belly-putter, fellow Scot Steve O’Hara has switched for a first time to the long-handled putter.
“I have to try something as my putting has been really poor,” said the flame-haired former Scottish Amateur champ.
“I started using the putter on Tuesday and I’ve been rolling them very well, so I’m really looking forward to taking it into competition.
“I’ve got a few dozen putters back home but this is the first time I’ve had a long-handled putter.”
