Carnoustie rough holds no fear for Monty

The much-vaunted rough at Carnoustie where the British Open is being staged holds no terrors for six-times European number one Colin Montgomerie.

"The stories about the rough concern everyone else," said Montgomerie. "My game is built around accuracy off the tee.

"The rough is very high. They've fertilised it, which is good. That's a positive step.

There's more demand to hit the ball straight off the tee. I like that."

Montgomerie said he planned a different approach for the British Open, the third major of the year.

He will endeavour to win both tournaments before Carnoustie -- the Irish Open starting on Thursday, which he has won twice and finished second after a playoff last year, and the Loch Lomond event in which he has never been out of the top 10.

But he intends taking a more relaxed attitude to practice before the British Open in an attempt to win his first major.

Montgomerie has failed to make the cut in the British Open five times in the past seven years. His best finish was eighth in the 1994 event.

"My Open record is nothing to shout about," said the Scot, "so I've had to think how to change that by doing something different.

"This year I'm doing something different by not getting to the Open too early. I'll be having one and a half practice rounds only, as I would do for any ordinary tournament, instead of getting there on Monday.

"Hopefully, having a couple of days off extra with my family will pay off. "

Reuters