MONTY FANCIES HIS CHANCE AT CARNOUSTIE

Hope springs eternal. Well at least it does with Colin Montgomerie.
He missed the cut last Friday in the Scottish Open at Carnoustie but today he was saying that he really believes he has a good chance of winning his first major this weekend.
Given that no other Scot in the field has anything like a bit of form, it must be the 44-year-old who carries the home hopes on his shoulders.
"I'm playing as well as I have - tee to green certainly - for many years," said Monty who has always been one of the most articulate players around in the build-up to a tournament. "I have a chance, of course I do. I'm playing well enough."
A lot of rain is forecast for the Carnoustie area on Saturday and a tee time that dodges the worst of the weather on any of the four days could make or break a potential Open champion.
Montgomerie is hoping for a decent break when he tees off at 9.31am tomorrow alongside American Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink and Japan's Toshi Izawa.
However, with the weather incredibly changeable - Tuesday's glorious sunshine was replaced by driving rain today - getting a clear run is all down to luck.
"I've got a good time in the draw and you just take it as it comes," the eight-time Order of Merit winner added, as the rain continued to lash the press tent as he spoke.
"If I get off to a decent start - by 11am if I'm a couple under par or something - then we can stay in contention.
"The start is very important to me and if I can get a decent first round I should be there by Sunday. It depends on the weather and if we are lucky with conditions.
"If this was Thursday and I was out there at 9.30am and then it all clears up and dries up for the afternoon it could work in reverse. You don't know. One just takes their chances with the weather on these links courses."