Course that can’t be topped

Carnoustie “is the best course there is” according to Colin Montgomerie – and that’s not just because he is the co-course record holder at the Senior Open venue this week.

“I've always thought that of the Open rota courses, the nine that are on the Open rota courses for the R&A, this is the best one,” said the Scot, playing his first Senior Open on home soil this week.

“There's no weak hole here. Dramatic finish, obviously, a superb golf course in superb condition.”

His 64 in1995 – although it was with the 18th playing as a par 5 – is something he remains proud of, although he says he “wasn't so proud of Wayne Riley beating me for the week, which I try and keep as quiet as possible.

“The third has changed but, apart fromthat, I think there's one new tee, they moved it back slightly at 17 and it's the same course as it was before.

“I talked to Tom Watson about the tee at 14, the Spectacles hole, andhe said ‘Yes, it's the same tee, 1975, par 5.’

“Now you tell me how many courses have a par-5 tee remains the same for 40-odd years? This course doesn't need it. This course was built for time and really is superb.”

“To win in Scotland is huge, and the last time I really did that professionally was the Dunhill in 2005.

“The previous, of course, was in 1999 at the Scottish Open. It's massive to win in my own country, the support is superb, and it will be again.

“It’ll be tough. Bernhard Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez would be favourites and I’m tucked in behind, but there are so many good players.”