 Montgomerie shot three birdies in four holes at the French Open |
Colin Montgomerie has vowed to hit back at his critics by claiming a tour win before the Open begins in three weeks. Montgomerie has missed four cuts in a row in the majors and shot an 82 at the US Open two weeks ago.
But the Scot found form to hit an impressive first round of three-under 68 at the French Open to put himself into contention.
"There is one thing to shut everybody up and that's to win. That is the aim - of course it is," he said.
Without a win since the 2005 Hong Kong Open, the 44-year-old has slipped from 17th place in the world rankings at the start of the year to 48th.
He added: "There is nothing better for the confidence than a win, so I have three very important rounds coming up to try to get back into that winner's enclosure again.
 | It's been a while without a win, the longest time in my career |
"It's been a while, the longest time in my career."
"If I can win before the Open (at Carnoustie in three weeks) that would be fantastic.
"When I changed clubs after winning the Order of Merit twice people were talking about 'What's that all about?'. The first two rounds in Dubai were 68-63 and that shut everybody up."
Montgomerie fell out with his local caddie at the US Open after parting company with long-time partner Alastair McLean before the tournament.
But he now has another Scot, Paul Casey's former caddie Craig Connolly, at his side and their first round together started with three birdies in four holes.
"It's very early stages. It's easy for him and easy for me when I play like that," he said.
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