Austrian Open:Colin Montgomerie insists the "dark, dark days" are over as he bids to end his longest barren streak for 16 years at the Austrian Open this week.
Montgomerie's victory drought stretches back to December 2005 in Hong Kong and the 43-year-old admitted "something had to change" after a third-round 72, three over par, sent him crashing out of contention in last week's Wales Open.
As he has done before, the despondent Scot then drove home to Surrey and got up at 4am to make the return trip for an 8.30am start on Sunday. And a closing 63 at Celtic Manor was enough to lift his mood and the eight-time European number one arrived in Vienna on Monday feeling upbeat ahead of the upcoming US Open at Oakmont.
"I am getting my game back," said Montgomerie, joint 13th here last year after a final round of 75.
"The Friday and Sunday from Celtic Manor were better, they were good scores and I'm getting things together again. There is no question that the dark, dark days of this year are over and I'm getting back to putting scores together as opposed to thinking about it.
"I'm looking forward to this event. I did well last year and I knew I was swinging the club well before I went to the US Open and that's why I did well.
"I didn't finish it off here last year but hopefully this year I can. That would be great if we can get back into the winner's enclosure, or even second or third, and get some confidence for next week."
Twelve months ago Montgomerie looked like ending his long wait for a first major title at Winged Foot, only to double bogey the 18th hole from the middle of the fairway to lose by one.
This year the US Open returns to Oakmont for the first time since 1994, when Montgomerie and Loren Roberts lost a play-off to Ernie Els.
Never in contention after a front nine of 42, Montgomerie could only manage a 78 in the play-off which Els eventually won on the 20th hole but, asked if that is what he remembered most, the Ryder Cup star added: "No, I remember not losing over 72 holes."
He also remembers the oppressive heat and should at least be partially acclimatised given the high temperatures forecast for Fontana Golf Club, 20 miles south of Vienna.
Montgomerie is among the later starters in today's first round but Ryder Cup team-mates Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke are out early alongside defending champion and home favourite, Markus Brier.
Brier became the first Austrian to win on the European Tour here last year when he beat Denmark's Soren Hansen by three shots with a closing 68.
The 38-year-old went on to finish inside the top 50 on the Order of Merit for the first time in his career, and has carried that form into 2007.
In April he won the China Open and tied for fifth in the Asian Open in consecutive weeks in Shanghai, and the following month lost a play-off in the Italian Open and finished 12th in the Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. No wonder Brier, who also won twice at Fontana on the Challenge Tour, is dreaming of becoming the first Austrian to play in the Ryder Cup.
"To play in the Ryder Cup would be a dream come true and the wins have brought me nearer to believing I can do it," Brier said.
"When I came on tour seven years ago I was far away from even winning a tournament but you have to keep believing in yourself and that is what I have done. Without doubt the thing which started all this was my win at Fontana last year. Your first win is always pretty special but especially when it is at home. It has done wonders for me but also for golf and golf coverage in Austria."
Kilkenny's Gary Murphy heads a strong Irish challenge this weekend, with his fine sixth-place finish in Celtic Manor suggestsing he is hitting a rich vein of form.
Rounds of 68, 65, 66 and 66, to follow his 12th place in the Irish Open at Adare Manor, could see Murphy figuring prominently, and his fifth at this venue last year points to a player who will not be incovenienced by the 7,071-yard course.
The Irish challenge is completed by Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie and David Higgins.
Austrian Open
Venue:Fontana GC, Oberswaltersdorf, 20 miles south of Vienna.
Prize money:€1,302,116, with €217,011 going to the winner.
Course:7,071 yards, par 71, designed by Canadian Douglas Carrick, Fontana GC is flat and dominated by a large lake and high trees.
Defending champion:Markus Brier became the first Austrian to win on the European Tour when he beat Denmark's Soren Hansen by three shots with a closing 68 at Fontana. Brier also won twice at Fontana on the Challenge Tour.
On TV:Sky Sports 2 (10am)
