Golf: Montgomerie concentrates on his title

Colin Montgomerie, so close to adding to the roll call of British sporting success of late at the US Open, says he has enough on his hands defending his Irish Open title this week to be worrying about the upcoming Open at his home course of Royal Troon.

"In the past, I have possibly thought too much about the week ahead instead of concentrating on the event I'm playing in," said Monty, who faces the challenge of Nick Faldo this week in a strong field.

But the Scot is keen to join the growing bandwagon of home success on sporting fields. "It's fantastic the success British sport is having," he said. "Winning the first Test was terrific, the British Lions have done fantastically, and having Henman and Rusedski together in the last eight is terrific. Maybe I let the side down by losing the US Open, didn't I?"

Druids Glen was set up in Montgomerie's favourite style, a la the US Open, last year and after recent heavy rains is again playing long and lush. "It will produce an honest day's work," said Faldo.