COLIN MONTGOMERIE believes he can rock golf by lifting the Claret Jug after qualifying for his home-town Open.
The Scot, 53, defied the odds to clinch his first Open appearance since 2010 at Troon, the course where he learned to play the game aged six.
He grew up in a home overlooking the links and his dad was club secretary for more than 20 years.
That is why he gave the gruelling 36-hole qualifying event at Irvine — where 72 players chase just three places — one last shot.
And after finishing five under par to clinch an emotional return, Monty insisted his fairy tale is not over yet.
He said: “I can’t put the way I feel into words — I’m excited, thrilled, tense and anxious.
“Every word that could come out of my mouth would apply just now.
“It’s great to be able to play a course I know so well.
“It was the last time I would try to qualify. I think my days of going through that grinder are probably behind me.
“It’s fantastic that it happened to work out.
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“And it made me smile to hear people are beginning to put money on me, because they know no one else in the field can match my course knowledge.
“My best chance, I always feel, of winning a Major would be at an Open, where you play a faster-running golf.
“Tom Watson came so close at Turnberry when he was 58.
“On these courses bombing the ball doesn’t always prove the greatest asset.
“I don’t think I would speak as confidently if it was the US Open, Masters or PGA. On every course you’ve got to respect where to miss the ball and where absolutely not to go.
“If you bail out you have to know the least damaging places to miss. I certainly know that because I’ve been in them all!
“So if I can use that local knowledge while I’m playing then, yes, it gives me an advantage.”
Monty, like dad James, is an honorary member at Troon.
But he admitted he thought his role this time around would be restricted to just commentating for Sky.
He added: “Having had the odd round at Troon with the family when the stands were going up I was hoping somehow I would get to play as opposed to just commentating.
“The next target is to make the cut, because I would love to be making that walk up the 18th on Sunday.
“And if I make it that far, who knows?”
* Sky Sports will show The Open exclusively live for the first time from July 14 to 17.
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