Colin Montgomerie plans to quit golf the moment he thinks he cannot win again.

But the world number nine, without a victory in Europe for 56 weeks, does not consider himself even close to that point yet.

And he aims to prove it at the Murphy's Irish Open starting at Fota Island near Cork on Thursday.

"When I know the best I can do is 10th I will give up," said the Scot, 38 last Saturday.

"But right now the best I can do is first, so I'm here."

Montgomerie is only 13th in the current Ryder Cup standings with just 12 qualifying events left.

And the Scot admits his pride would be hurt greatly if he failed to climb into the top 10.

That would leave him needing a wild card call-up from captain Sam Torrance.

But such a scenario is not something Motgmoerie expects to happen.

"I have always qualified first or second for the five matches I have played and I intend to do the same this time," added the seven-time European No 1.

Meanwhile, Darren Clarke has been trying to explain the dismal recent record of Irish golfers in their home Open.

"I think it is because we all want to win it so badly," said last year's Volvo Order of Merit runner-up.