General / Editor / 04 June 2007 /

Colin Montgomerie - who is trading at 20 for a top five finish and is available at 10 for a top 10 finish at the upcoming US Open - insists he is heading to the latest Major in confident mood.

The Scot finished his Wales Open with what he described as a "perfect" six-under-par 63 on Sunday and believes he can carry his form from Celtic Manor forward to Oakmont Country Club.

Despite struggling this season, Montgomerie came close to maiden Major win at last year's US Open before he agonisingly double bogeyed the last to lose by a single shot.

However, he feels his game is coming together at just the right time to be able to mount a serious challenge at this year's event.

"I know what I'm doing now," he revealed. "I'm more comfortable than I was going to the US Open last year and my appetite is as strong as ever."

The 43-year-old's finishing round of 63 was not enough to put him into contention at the Wales' showpiece after a 73 in round three, but Monty was only focused on taking the positives out of the event, following 18 months without a win.

"My golf couldn't go on like it was," he said. "Something had to change. It couldn't get worse - not for someone, shall we say, of my ability.
"I've had a dreadful time the last few months, but now I'm feeling good again."

Montgomerie will continue his preparation at this week's BA-CA Open in Austria and hopes to build further confidence ahead of the US Open which takes place in Pennsylvania from June 14-17.

Predictably Tiger Woods heads the outright winner market for the US Open at 4.1 with Phil Mickelson (11.5) second favourite and Vijay Singh next best at 22.

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