For someone who is more associated with the west coast of Scotland Colin Montgomerie has a long and deep affinity with St Andrews. He represented Scotland there in the Dunhill Cup as far back as 1988, they would famously beat England in the final seven years later, and he also has a Dunhill Links title on his CV when he edged past Kenny Ferrie. Earlier that year he came close to rewriting the history books with an Open success at the Home of Golf. Not since James Braid in 1910 won The Open had a Scot prevailed around the Old Course and, for three and a half rounds, Montgomerie was right in it.
Tiger Woods would outlast him then, to make it back-to-back victories around St Andrews, but the flame for the most famous piece of golfing turf still burns bright. Had he not been playing in a senior major he would have given Open qualifying a go this year and, if he was to play one last shot, it would be the approach to the 18th at St Andrews.
The course designer Pat Ruddy says, along the lines of this, of St Andrews – ‘Every time I see the Old Course, it makes me want to cry’ – how do you feel about the place?
It’s the most iconic golfing sight in the world, you can throw your Pebble Beaches into a cocked hat, this is it. It’s the Home of Golf and, when you see the signs for St Andrews and being a Scot and so proud of what they have there, you can get emotional over driving into the town. It’s a fabulous town; the university, the shops, the golfing tradition, the West Sands beach, the history of the place. You see the Old Course Hotel on the left and then you drive past the clubhouse and the 18th – how many courses finish into the town? It’s so special, it’s the best of the best.
I can honestly say that anyone who is part of this year’s Open will have that romanticism about the place, it is phenomenal. Someone will hole a putt on that final green to win The Open and I won’t miss a shot and I’m not even playing.
What do you make of the opening tee shot?
It’s actually a very poor opening tee shot if you were thinking about…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly RSS Feed…