Monty tips Woods to achieve calendar GS

THOUSAND OAKS, California: Britain's Colin Montgomerie believes Tiger Woods will become the first player to complete a calendar grand slam by winning all four professional majors in a single season.

World No 1 Woods has already piled up 13 of golf's blue riband titles, including four in a row from the 2000 US Open to the 2001 US Masters for the so-called "Tiger Slam".

"I think he will do it and it would make for a fantastic, fantastic achievement if it (the record) is ever broken in this modern era," Montgomerie told a news conference on the eve of this week's Target World Challenge.

"All credit to him if he does it, and who says 2008 won't be the time he does all four?

"It would be a remarkable achievement and somehow you hope the one person to do it is him."

Woods, who claimed his 13th major at the PGA Championship in August, has dominated the game for the last nine years and Montgomerie has seen no sign of his grip loosening.

"I think the chasing pack are getting better but the trouble is so is he," said the 44-year-old Scot.

"I always feel his best time was in 2000 when he held all four majors at one time and I think he's getting back to that level again."

Woods won the last three majors of 2000 before stretching his golden run to four with victory at the 2001 Masters.

His 2000 campaign featured 11 titles worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the best years in golfing history.

Better putter

"I think he's become almost a better putter now than he was then," added Montgomerie, the winner of a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles.

"Swing-wise, that isn't for me to say but he's very close. It's a nice era we are in to feel we have potentially the best sportsman in the world playing golf. It helps us all."

Montgomerie is in high spirits for this week's 16-man event at Sherwood Country Club after sharing in Scotland's breakthrough victory at the World Cup in China last month.

Montgomerie and Marc Warren beat the US in a playoff at Mission Hills to bring the team title to the home of golf for the first time.

"It's nice to be coming off a win, thanks to Marcus really," Montgomerie said. "He played very well and let's hope that can springboard him into some action next year.

"We've been 54 years in Scotland waiting for that trophy. We lost in a playoff the year before and it's nice to come back after that and win.

"I'm looking forward to doing quite well here," added the 31-time European Tour winner. "I've done OK here over the years."

Montgomerie has posted three top-five finishes in five appearances at Sherwood, including a tie for third in 2004 after leading by two strokes going into the final round.

"I was two shots ahead one year but some fellow beat me," he said, referring to tournament-host Woods, who won the 2004 title. "He's quite good, has potential. So he won. He'll probably win again."

Agencies

(China Daily 12/14/2007 page23)