England’s Lee Westwood has slammed his 2010 victorious European Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie over comments the Scot made saying this year’s Masters is Westwood’s last chance of Majors glory.

“Let’s face it, not many golfers get better in their 40s,” said Monty.

Well Westwood, who turns 40 later this month, vehmently disagrees and he comments are reported by good friend and colleague, David Facey in The Sun newspaper.

“I don’t accept this is my last chance, whatever Monty says,” said Westwood as was expected.

Lee Westwood takes a swipe at Colin Montgomerie’s comments. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“There’s a big difference between me at 39 and Colin at 39 – about eight stone I’d guess!

“I’m fitter now than when I was at 29. I’m carrying less weight, I work out more, and look after myself a lot better. So I certainly don’t see reaching 40 as any sort of watershed.”

This week will mark Westwood’s 70th Major and with his best finish being second in the 2010 Masters and second also in the 2010 Open Championship.  Westwood also has had five third place results including third last year behind Bubba Watson here at Augusta.

And as David Facey correctly points out no one has had more top three finishes than Westy without actually winning a Major – seven in his case, all in the last five years.

And he is the only player without a Major to have finished in the top three in all four Grand Slam events – The Masters, US Open, Open Championship and the USPGA.

Westwood believes the key to breaking his duck was his decision to move to Florida at the end of last year, even though fifth place in Dubai and a couple of top-10 finishes on the US Tour have not set the world alight.

But, after finishing runner-up in the Masters to Phil Mickelson three years ago – and third last year – he insists he is more than happy with his preparations for Augusta.

He added: “You can see the benefits of my move over here. I’ve gone from 191st in scrambling to 28th. That shows how much my short game has improved. I’m obviously a lot sharper around the greens.

“I felt that was the area of my game that would improve when I took the decision to move over here.

“Thankfully the improvement has been pretty quick and pretty dramatic.

“And of course you really need a good short game around Augusta.

“You can’t compare the practice facilities over here to the ones I had built at home, because the weather is so much better.

“They can get the greens much faster, and the lies tight, so it tests you more.

“Part of me wishes I’d done it earlier. But I’m pleased I’ve done it now. Everyone is enjoying themselves down there.

“My only concern was how the family would take to it, but they settled in straight away and they love it here.

“My results this year haven’t been brilliant but it’s all about peaking at the right time. And I feel good here.

“I’ve had two top threes in the past three years and when I stand on the tee I always feel I can see a way round this course.

“Every time I come back I feel like there’s less of an adjustment. I know the greens and how fast they are after playing here so often. I just feel so comfortable here now.”