Courtesy: The Scotsman

I confess, I like Colin Montgomerie. I don't think he'd be much fun to have a beer with unless he'd known you for 20 years, but there is something that's appealing about the character.

He is the archetypal Scot: moody, charming, serious, sometimes ponderous, sometimes very funny. And he has one of the easiest, most relaxed golf swings of any pro I've ever witnessed.

Perhaps it's because Monty wears his heart on his sleeve that I like him. He's a team player (just look at his Ryder Cup record) and I like team players.

But when he's on his own on the golf course in a tournament, that's when Monty becomes an island, even moreso when he's not doing well. He turns downright morose and takes on an almost petulant expression.

It was this that caused some American fans a number of years ago to get on his back. And when he reacted to it, rather than blow it off, more fans jumped onto the "drive Monty crazy" bandwagon.

Fortunately, that has ended but Monty has still never won a tournament in the United States. But he certainly has won plenty in Europe.

And his latest came on Sunday at the prestigious European Open at the K Club in Dublin. At the age of 44, the Scot won again, his first victory since the Hong Kong Open in December, 2005.

Now, of course, the bookies - if not the golfing public - are hailing Monty as a strong contender for the upcoming Open at Carnoustie. If you call 40 to 1 odds "strong".

Bookies, for some reason, are the last to give their heads a good shake. Let's consider Monty's record in majors. It's spotty - two runner-up finishes, once in the U.S. Open and once in The Open. But that's balanced by six missed cuts, the last two this season at Augusta and then just recently at Oakmont.

And he's never won The Open. So, realistically, Monty is not a contender next week at Carnoustie. Of course, he could surprise everyone and be leading on Sunday. But I think the pressure that he imposes on himself to win a major will trip him up again.

Because he's hard on himself, he's hard on his caddies; he's gone through a good number in the past two years alone. He seems to have found one now who is working well. But how long will that continue?

Monty is 44; his world ranking has shot up to 30th after slumping to 48th and he's sixth on the Order of Merit, Europe's money list. That is success enough for a golfer who is technically proficient but lacks that fine mental edge that separates the truly great players from the really good week-to-week players.

Congratulations on the European Open, Monty, and good luck next week. Do yourself proud but don't hold your breath, mate.