General / Editor / 28 February 2007 /

Colin Montgomerie is confident that he can make it back into the world's top ten this season at the age of 43.

The Scot dominated European golf in the 1990s, winning seven consecutive Order of Merit titles, while representing Europe with distinction at five Ryder Cups - winning two.

The Glasgow-born star's performance level dropped after the turn of the century although he has still won at least one tournament per season over the past seven years and returned to top form in 2005 - claiming the Order of Merit title for an eighth time.

Three more Ryder Cup victories mean that Monty's name will always be synonymous with the biannual tournament and he is still ranked 20th in the world.

The fiery veteran is preparing to play in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand and feels that he can at least halve his ranking this term.

"I started the year in the top 20, and I really do feel still that I'm able to get back in the top ten," he said.

"I don't think that I'm thinking about overachieving to get there at 43 years old, but I feel that still I can get back into the top ten and that is a goal.

"I've got to win a couple of times obviously to do that and possibly win in America. But I'm playing quite well right now.

And Montgomerie believes that his game is in good order and it may not be too long before he is back among the world's elite.

"Actually I'm hitting the ball well and I'm confident," he added. "I set the odd goal and one is to improve obviously, but again, I'd like to get back into the top ten in the world and I feel that that's not so far away."

Monty currently trades at 34 to win in the Far East this week, with Ernie Els favourite at 7 and fellow South African Retief Goosen available at 9.8.

Punters do not believe that the Brit will head the European money list at the end of the campaign however, and he can be backed at 60 to claim his ninth Order of Merit crown, with Henrik Stenson favourite at 2.

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