Montgomerie still sees victory on horizon

Colin Montgomerie tonight insisted he still has a chance of a first Major title despite another disappointing day at Carnoustie.

The 36-year-old Scot had dismissed his hopes of victory after a second-round 76 on Friday left him seven shots off the pace, saying: "This has gone now."

But despite finding himself still nine shots off the pace set by surprise leader Jean Van De Velde, Europe's number one defiantly claimed he was still a serious contender.

"I need something very, very good and early. I need to be three under at the turn and then play the back nine well as well," Montgomerie said.

"I've been playing well on Sundays and I just need another very good one.

"If the weather is like it was today you could realistically score 67 in the last round trying to win the Open.

"If I can do that I'll be five over and I reckon I can win so that's a serious challenge. I can cope with the pressure, I think I've proved myself a number of times.

"If I score 67 it will be the best round of my life.

"All I was trying to do yesterday was to deflect the situation away from the amount of pressure and media attention that goes with winning in Scotland and my position in Europe and everything.

"My partners David Frost and Brian Watts had had rounds of 69 and 73, I had a 76 and I was getting all the attention.

"I've had it for six years but coming off the win at Loch Lomond it's been unbelievable the amount of attention I've been receiving, a different level for sure.

"I wanted to try to deflect the situation away from myself and on to other people and the way things were going when I was two under after 14 holes it was working."