 Montgomerie enjoyed a return to form in the 2005 season |
US PGA champion Phil Mickelson insists Scotland's Colin Montgomerie can claim his first major title this year. The eight-time European Order of Merit winner has yet to secure a major at the age of 42, but Mickelson said: "He had a great chance at the Open last year.
"He'll have another great chance there this year and, as well as he drives it, he has a shot at the US Open and PGA. And I wouldn't rule out the Masters."
The pair will line up at the Players Championship in Florida this week.
Montgomerie failed to qualify for the event, regarded as the 'fifth major', last year but returns after a fine season that saw him finish runner-up to world number one Tiger Woods at the Open.
Despite missing the halfway cut the last three times he has appeared at the Championships, Mickelson's words could provide the perfect boost for the Scot.
And the 35-year-old American also had words of comfort for England's Greg Owen, who finished second at last weekend's Bay Hill Invitational after a double-bogey, bogey finish cost him the title.
"He is a great ball-striker and led in fairways and greens there," said Mickelson.
"He just played superb, but unfortunately stuff like this happens. It happens to everybody.
"But I hope that he wins and wins soon because he's a quality player and he's an incredibly nice guy."
MMIX
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I hope he wins and wins soon