Colin Montgomerie remains hungry for success as he sets out on his 25th full year on the European Tour.
The 48-year-old Scot walked into his pre-tournament press conference at the Volvo Golf Champions at the Fancourt Links in South Africa sporting a wide grin, a spring in his step and a brand new set of Callaway clubs.
Montgomerie is part of the 35-strong field restricted to those with 10 or more victories and all winners since the start of last season.
"I'm looking forward to trying to win," he said. "That's the goal and I've changed equipment to try to realise it.
"I had most of my success in the 90s with Callaway equipment," he said. "I won five Orders of Merit in a row with Callaway. I've seen the equipment and what's to come and made the decision to go back.
"It's a little bit back to the future really and I'm really excited about using the equipment this week in particular and onward.
Hole the putts
"I'm hitting the ball well, especially tee to green. The irons are good, too. I'm driving the ball safely and if I can hole the putts.... I know I have to putt very, very well to compete with the longer hitters out there. They have a huge advantage over me with some of the length that they hit the ball."
Montgomerie recalled playing with Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, last season's biggest hitter in Europe, at the Spanish Open.
"I'm giving away 60 yards off the tee to him and afterwards I was drug-tested. I asked what for and they said it's for performance-enhancing drugs.
"Both of my playing partners just laughed - complete waste of time. It was embarrassing."
Monty is playing with 21-year-old golf prodigy Tom Lewis and will be keen to see the young Englishman up close for the first time.
"He's had a great start to his professional career and it's great that we have him in the field," Monty said.
"I'm looking forward to playing with Tom. I haven't played with him before and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets around a golf course, especially one of this standing. And I look forward to the challenge of trying to finish ahead of him."
However, beating Lewis isn't just his goal. The Scot hopes he can win the tournament itself on a course he rates highly.
"This is an exceptional course," he said. "I heard it's ranked number one in South Africa, which really means it's ranked number one in Africa, and deservedly so. I think it's an exceptional golf course and a great design, and I enjoy the challenge of it.
"So, yeah, I'm looking forward to the year ahead and looking forward to trying to win. I really want to try and win out here again."
Last Updated: January 18, 2012 6:26pm
http://www1.skysports.com/golf/news/12230/7440985/Monty-targets-Fancourt-glory
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