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Monty aims for successful defence at Caltex Masters

Scotsman Colin Montgomerie is fired up for a successful title defence at the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg, Singapore 2005 as he bids to regain his place amongst the world's elite.

Ranked a lowly 82nd in the world entering this week's US$1 million event at Laguna National Golf and Country Club, a confident Montgomerie said he was looking forward to a strong start to his season. The Caltex Masters is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

"It's always nice to come back," said the Scot, known better as Monty, in a press conference today. "It's nice to come to the course you've won before and get the feeling of success. I look forward to try and defend my title."

Last year, Montgomerie triumphed at Laguna National's Masters Course following a superb final round of seven-under-par 65 for a four-day total of 16-under-par 272. He did not win another title last season but played a pivotal role in Europe's triumph over the United States in the Ryder Cup where he holed the winning putt.

A back problem added to his woes as he dropped down the world rankings but a slim-lined Monty said he is now fully fit and raring to tee it up. "I've had a bad back for the last three years and I had a poor run of form with my back injury. And I thought the best was to lose a bit of weight and it's helped. I'm fine now physically," said Montgomerie.

His defence will be severely tested with the inclusion of an array of tournament winners from Asia and Europe. Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, last season's Asian Tour number one, will lead the region's assault alongside India's Jyoti Randhawa, who finished second on the Order of Merit last season and Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei, winner of the Caltex Masters in 2003 following an upset win over South African Ernie Els.

Montgomerie spent last week practising in Dubai to prepare for his defence. "The weather was so bad at home that I decided to go to Dubai to practice there. I need to start well. My world ranking dropped dramatically last year and I have to get it back to the top-25 in the world.

"There are certain tournaments that you have to get into the top-50 to try to compete in events such as the Masters, The Players Championship and the Majors. I'm looking forward to the next two weeks especially, this week's Caltex Masters and next week in Melbourne which are two big events at the start of the season. I'd love to win one of them and get my ranking back on the road," said Montgomerie.

"If I have a goal at the start of the year, it's the top-25 in the world. That would be fine for me and then I'll try to forward next year. I'm over 40 now and it is more difficult but at a certain time, I have a huge ambition to succeed still.

"I've got to perform. I'm practising harder, I have more time to practice now so we'll just have to go out and do it. "

Europe's challenge will be formidable with no fewer than 12 winners from the 2004 season teeing up at the Caltex Masters. Also entered for this week's event are former British Open champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland, Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood of England and a resurgent Thomas Bjorn of Denmark.

The European Tour's line-up includes South African rising star Trevor Immelman, last year's winner of the South African Airways Open, Scott Drummond, winner of the Volvo PGA Championship, and Graeme McDowell, who triumphed in the Telecom Italia Open last season en route to sixth place on the European Tour Order of Merit.

Bob Hakim, Vice President of Asia Pacific Marketing for Chevron Texaco, said: "We are delighted to boast such a strong line-up of competitors for this week's Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg, Singapore 2005.

"Champions from the Asian Tour and European Tour will grace the fairways of Laguna National and we can all expect a wonderful week of golf."

The Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg was inaugurated in 2001. The first event was won by Fijian Vijay Singh followed by India's Arjun Atwal, Zhang Lian-wei of China and Montgomerie last season.

January 25, 2005