Colin Montgomerie in confident mood ahead of US Senior Open

Colin Montgomerie admits confidence is high as he bids for a second US Senior Open victory in Ohio this weekend.

The eight-time European Order of Merit winner is looking to add to his success in 2014 at the Scioto Country Club in Columbus, live on Sky Sports.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Monty, who was second to Jeff Maggert at Sacramento last year, said: "We have a full field of 156 starters this week and I am looking forward to it.

"Having won it in 2014 and second last year I come here with obviously a lot of confidence. It's a great golf course and the weather is superb as is normal here at this time of year.

"Scioto is the home of Jack Nicklaus, who is the honorary chair of the event, so it's a big deal here and it's a challenge I look forward to." 

Meanwhile, Monty, bidding for a fourth senior major title having twice won the Senior PGA Championship, has hailed the achievement of Jim Furyk over the weekend after the American posted the first 58 recorded on the PGA Tour.

The 46-year-old signed for the record score in the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on Sunday, a tournament won by Scotland's Russell Knox.

"It's never been done before in a PGA event and in Europe we are still waiting for our first 59," added Monty. "So never mind 59, 58 is something amazing.

"But it takes someone of Jim's experience to do that. I think a youngster would have really suffered nerve-wise, but having shot 59 before, Jim Furyk was in a good position to do it again. It was fantastic for him and really great for golf.

"And Russell's victory has put him right in the mix for one of the captain's picks for the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.

"He was on the fringe after his HSBC win in China and now he's won again, in a quality field, he has to be right up there and it's fantastic for him. He would be a great asset to any European side."

And Sky Sports pundit Montgomerie is looking forward to the golf at the Rio Olympics, having played a part in ensuring the sport was part of this summer's Games in Brazil.

However, the Scot admits disappointment at the number of top players who have decided to give the event a wide berth due mainly to the Zika virus, including the top four golfers in the world.

Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy are the highest-profile withdrawals but Montgomerie, who sits 10th on the Seniors Money List, believes they are missing out on the chance of a lifetime.

"I will take great interest in the Olympics," he said. "I actually presented in front of the IOC to try and get golf into the Games and I was in great favour of it.

"But I'm disappointed that a number of the top players aren't competing there. I think when they see Rio, the golf course and what it means to become an Olympian, they will regret the decision. I really do hope that it will take off in Tokyo 2020.

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"As to the favourites in Rio, let's hope it's Danny Willett or Justin Rose or one of the Irish contenders, but I'm going for Bubba Watson. I think he is one of the contenders for gold."