Monty shows promise at Match Play

2008-02-20

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By Andrew BothPA SportsTicker Golf Writer

MARANA, Arizona (Ticker) -- Colin Montgomerie showed there islife in his plump 44-year-old body Wednesday, winning hisopening-round encounter at the Accenture Match PlayChampionship.

The 59th-seeded Montgomerie used his vast match-play experience,and more than a touch of ability, to outlast sixth seed JimFuryk 3-and-2 at Dove Mountain.

"I am very, very happy," Montgomerie said. "It was very toughopponent to draw, Jim Furyk. I believe he''s one of the US''sstrongest match players, but I played particularly well today,well enough to win. I enjoyed seeing where my game is."

Montgomerie and Furyk have similar games, both straight but notvery long off the tee - and that seemed to suit Montgomerie.

"I think he outdrove me as much as I outdrove him," saidMontgomerie, who rated the 12th hole as the most pivotal. "Hehad just birdied the 11th hole to get back to 1-down, and thenat the 12th I had a difficult chip and got up-and-down and hedidn''t. It''s amazing how pivotal that was, to get back to 2-up."

Montgomerie, who has played in eight Ryder Cups, believes hisvast experience in that pressure cooker can only help in thisWorld Golf Championships event.

"I''m not saying that Jim''s not experienced, but I''m one of theelder statesmen," he said. "I''ve been playing in Ryder Cups for17 years and there''s no one in this tournament that''s playedany more. I think experience has to play a part."

However, a glance at Montgomerie''s record in this event wouldsuggest otherwise. He has never advanced past the third roundin seven attempts, three times losing in the first round.

Montgomerie, ranked 62nd in the world, has plenty to play forover the next few days. A strong performance here would lifthim close to the world''s top 50, which is where he needs to bein a month''s time to earn a Masters invitation.

"I got to bed thinking about that and I wake up thinking aboutit," he said. "I''ve got to get my finger out and get going.It''s nice I''ve got through at least one round and I''m lookingforward to tomorrow."