We’ve had just one round of the BMW PGA but Colin Montgomerie’s already waving the white flag and conceding victory to in form Luke Donald.
Colin Montgomerie the centre of attention on day one of 2011 BMW PGA.
Monty and Donald were among just a handful to take to the ‘Burma Road’ fast lane on day of sunshine and showers in leafy Surrey.
The Chicago-based Donald, who was runner-up at Wentworth last year, tamed the wet and windy conditions, that also included a 36-minute thunderstorm delay, to snatch eight birdies in a seven-under par 64 in an equal European Tour career best display.
“That was probably one of the best rounds I’ve ever played to be honest,” said Donald.
“The conditions were tough out there with the wind swirling, and there was some rain showers.
“So to pretty much have total control of the golf ball doesn’t happen very often in golf but that’s how I felt today.”
It’s also put the current Word No. 2 ranked in with yet another chance of dethroning becoming World No. 1 Lee Westwood who carded a 73.
Sharing second is Sweden’s Johan Edfors, a former Barclays Scottish Open winner, along with Italian stallion, Matteo Manassero after their rounds of 66.
Monty was off to a flyer to be five under par through eight holes where he holed a 40-footer.
But for the triple winning BMW PGA champ it was then a case over the back nine of simply trying to start on the ‘road’.
Monty began the inward half bogey, birdie, bogey and birdie but then dropped four shots in three holes from the 15th for a surprising 69.
“Seven birdies was very encouraging and there’s no question,” he said.
European Tour CEO, George O'Grady presents in-form Luke Donald with his 'Shot of the Month' award
“I’ve been working on things on my game but seven birdies is unheard of. So I will take that as a positive.
“But then I had five mistakes and besides you are going to make mistakes out there as it’s extremely difficult.”
And at 467th in the world, Monty’s the lowest world-ranked played in the top-10 as he chases a first victory since capturing the 2007 European Open at the K. Club.
“I would like to try and get myself back into the top-50 as we stand. I’m in the 400s, which I believe is wrong,” Monty added.
“So days like today would give me encouragement to try and work harder.
“For the past three years it’s been very poor. It’s been awful but I’ve been working a little bit harder on my game.
“So the seven birdies I had in the first 13 holes was good and there must be something going on that’s right.
“It’s just the wrongs, there’s too many wrongs. If I can cut out all the wrongs as I used to do, as I didn’t make any mistakes when I was winning, then things can improve.
“I must say I’m enjoying it. There’s no reason why not to and I look forward to tomorrow’s round.”
But while Monty looks to climb his way back inside the top-50 on the World Rankings, he’s already prepared to hand victory to Donald, and with still 54 holes to play.
“I would see Luke winning this event, and there’s no reason why if he attains No. 1, and he wins here, that it doesn’t give him the confidence to go forward,” said Monty.
“He’s playing the best golf in the world right now, and while there’s a little fortune involved at the odd time, he doing awfully well.
“Besides if he’s not winning every week, he’s finishing second.”
