Still Aiming For Glory
Scottish golfing legend Colin Montgomerie is in full swing as he bids for success on the greens of the famous Old Course
When did you first realise that golf was going to be your profession?
When I won the 1987 Scottish Amateur Championship, beating Alasdair Watt at Nairn Golf Club. That win set me on my way.
Who was your biggest inspiration?
Seve Ballesteros. Even although he was only five or six years older than me, I always looked up to him. I’ve never seen anyone play the game with more passion or excitement. Some golfers can be intimidated by pressure or getting into trouble. He treated each element as a challenge and almost seemed to enjoy it.
What is your favourite Scottish course...
Trump Turnberry.
...and your favourite hole?
The eighth at Royal Troon. Known the world over as “The Postage Stamp” this a dramatic wee hole is proof that you don’t need to build par threes at 250 yards to be any good. Remarkably I didn’t play it until I was 18, as junior members at Troon had to play the Portland course until that age. I’m sure my first attempt was on my 18th birthday.
The Senior Open Presented by Rolex is being played at the Old Course at St Andrews for the first time in July. Are you excited to play there?
It’s the one place every golfer wants to play and it’s marvellous that we’re competing on the Old Course for our only Senior Major in Europe. It’s great not only for senior golf but golf in general and it is the highlight of my year’s schedule by a mile.
What makes the Old Course so special?
The history and tradition and the generations of golfers who have walked the fairways. I am fortunate to have won the Dunhill Cup there in 1995 representing Scotland with Sam Torrance and Andrew Coltart. Then in 2005 I holed a four-footer on the last to finish second to Tiger Woods in The Open, a few months before winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. These were great thrills. I feel I know my way around so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t do quite well this July.
Is there less pressure on the senior tour, compared to the regular tour?
No less pressure but less envy. Less egos and everyone is genuinely happy for anyone’s success.
What’s been your biggest thrill?
Being voted into The World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013. I feel very proud to have been inducted alongside so many greats of the game, past and present. You only need to talk to people like Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle about being in this special club to know what it means to everyone. I’ve holed putts to win individual tournaments and Ryder Cups, but this is the culmination. You can’t go any further.
And your biggest disappointment?
Losing my mum.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you on a golf course?
At Pebble Beach a seagull picked my ball up off the fairway, and moved it further away from the hole!
Any young Scots golfer(s) to look out for?
Scottish golf has been in transition but the next generation of talent is starting to come through.
How would you sum yourself up?
Professionally competitive, ambitious and driven.
The Senior Open runs at the Old Course, St Andrews, from July 25-29. Under-16s go free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is also free. For tickets visit: www.senioropenchampionship.com
“Being in the World Golf Hall of Fame is deal” a really big