Friday 11 December 2015 09:16, UK
Colin Montgomerie believes an improved performance with the putter can see him break his own European Senior Tour record at the season-ending MCB Tour Championship.
The 52-year-old is already a two-time winner during 2015 and has successfully retained his Order of Merit title, but can break his own record for earning in a European Tour season with a top-10 finish or better in Mauritius this week.
Montgomerie followed Senior PGA Championship victory by winning the Travis Perkins Masters at Woburn, with the Scot now looking to extend his record of never finishing outside of the top-six in any regular Senior Tour event.
Although Montgomerie feels his game is in good shape, he knows he'll have to perform better on the greens at Constance Belle Mare Plage to build on consecutive tied-sixth finishes in the past two years.
"You have to keep the ball very straight from the tee round here, but that's never been too much of an issue for me," Montgomerie said. "Where I have struggled is on the greens, where the grain makes it difficult to read the putts.
"I haven't putted as well as I would've liked for the last two years, especially from six feet and in. You really have to hole most, if not all of those if you're going to win any tournament, but especially one as prestigious and competitive as this.
"If I can hole out better this week, then I'll have every chance because there's not a lot wrong with my ball striking at the moment."
Montgomerie will play alongside defending champion Paul Wesselingh for the opening round on Friday, with the other two-time winner on the Tour this season, Peter Fowler, is paired with Barry Lane.
Former Ryder Cup winner Sam Torrance is also part of this week's field, with Montgomerie looking to build some momentum to take in to the New Year.
"You ask any sportsperson, and they'll say you're a long time retired so try to make your career last as long as you possibly can," Montgomerie added. "I fully intend to do that.
"I still thrive on that competitive element, which is what keeps me going even after all these years on the Tour. The standard is very high, and I still love competing.
"I've got a whole month off after this week, and it'd be very nice to go into that break with a win under my belt. I've got the family here this week, so I think I might need to win just to break even!"