Published>Fri, Oct 08 10 01:17 AM
Victorious European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was overwhelmed with the reception he received in the Dunhill Links Championship first round on Thursday.
Montgomerie shot a level-par 72 at Kingsbarns, one of three courses being used this week, to lie six strokes behind joint leaders Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez, fellow Briton Martin Laird and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber.
"The reaction has been fantastic," the Ryder Cup skipper told reporters after mixing three birdies with three bogeys in his native Scotland.
"Everybody that's part of European golf was thrilled with what happened at Celtic Manor last week. It was a big, big win," said Montgomerie after being partnered by his amateur brother Douglas in the pro-am event.
"The people that followed our group around today were just fantastic. People seem to be more interested in the game of golf now and that's part of our success I suppose.
"That win will bring more people into the game and ... hopefully more kids will start taking up the game, particularly after seeing that dramatic finale," he added referring to Europe's 14-1/2 - 13-1/2 win over United States.
Montgomerie's own game has taken a back seat since he was appointed captain in February 2009 but he is looking forward to kick-starting his career all over again.
"Now I'm just trying to make cuts in tournaments, enjoy myself and then start next year completely afresh, fit mentally, physically ... raring to go for a season ahead," said the eight-times European number one.
"I'm looking forward to the Abu Dhabi Championship as it will be the first time I play in early January. I'm looking forward to getting into contention and to competing in these tournaments (to chase) my first win in two-and-a-half years."
Source: Web Search
0 comments:
Post a Comment