Monty's drive still strong
Last updated: 11th January 2008
Montgomerie: wants early win
Although I'm that age and have played in so many tournaments I've probably hit half the balls that any normal bod would have done, so in that way my body isn't 44, it's 37.
Colin Montgomerie
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Colin Montgomerie is aiming to win 10 more titles before he is 50 - starting with the 'Desert Swing' later this month.
The 44-year-old Scot told Golf Night he still has plenty of ambition to win golf tournaments and is desperate to improve his ranking and qualify for the Ryder Cup team in Valhalla next September.
Monty hasn't put the hours in on the ranges in recent years, but he is hoping that could turn out to be an advantage as he approaches later life.
He said: "I'm 44 and I think I've got five or six years left in me. If I can win a title or one-and-a half titles a year until I'm 50, then that would be fantastic.
"I'll have to keep winning until I'm 50, but I'm looking to win 10 more titles and there's no reason why not.
"Although I'm that age and have played in so many tournaments I've probably hit half the balls that any normal bod would have done, so in that way my body isn't 44, it's 37.
"I have the years to go and I'm as ambitious as ever. My drive is as strong as ever and I look forward to becoming senior."
Special preparations
Montgomerie insists he is seeking a win from one of the upcoming tournaments at Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Dubai - and is even making special preparations for the tournaments by flying out early to the Middle East.
He added: "I've got to start thinking about the Ryder Cup and I've got to start winning. I'm nowhere near where I want to be in the world rankings and I'm nowhere near where I want to be in the Ryder Cup rankings, so I've got to change that by winning.
"I would be disappointed if I can't come back from the desert without a win. That's the goal.
"I'm going out a day early which is incredible for me. I'm going to practise and acclimatise and do the things that I should have done a few years ago. I've had the winter break and I want to be ready to win Abu Dhabi. If I don't win there then I want to go to Qatar and try to do the same there.
"There will be some big players turning up in Dubai and that will be fantastic because that is the happening place in the world in every aspect, but in golf terms as well.
"It's a fabulous golf course, there will be great weather and one of the best fields if not the best field in European golf."
Prestigious
Monty also revealed his excitement about the upcoming Race to Dubai in 2009, which will replace the Order of Merit and reward the European Tour's top players with huge money at a prestigious season-ending tournament.
"It's super and to have the world's richest tournament on the European Tour has to be an advantage," he added. "We are very lucky to have that.
"We have supported Dubai since the late 1980's and they have come back and supported us royally. We are all looking forward to trying to qualify and then competing at the end of 2009.
"It will get the juices flowing. They've had the FedEx Cup Series in America and this is our equivalent, if not better. The number one after Dubai wins two million dollars - so we're hoping exchange rates deplete by then!
"It will add a new dimension to the Tour. This is a new era."
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