By Paul Third - The Press & Journal

Scottish golfing great believes new course, which will host the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship in August, has put the Aberdeenshire venue in a class of its own.  

Colin Montgomerie believes Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire has become the greatest 36 holes of links golf in the world.

A new challenge awaits the field of this year’s Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, which was won by Bo Van Pelt last year, when it returns to the north-east in August.

Montgomerie will once again serve as tournament host for the event, which will move from the old course to the new course at the Aberdeenshire venue for the first time from August 6-9, and he believes the test which lies ahead is unlike anything else in the world.

He said: “It’s called the greatest 36, and it probably is the greatest 36 holes of links golf in the world.

“Sunningdale has an old and new course but that’s not links courses. We’re talking links courses here. There isn’t anything else like this.

David Adams, managing director of Staysure Legends Tour, Sarah Malone, executive vice president, Trump International Scotland, and Colin Montgomerie at the new course on Thursday. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

“There are great links style courses such as Cypress Point and Pebble Beach but they are not 36 holes.

“There’s not 36 holes of this quality anywhere and I’m not saying that because we’re sitting here, I’m saying that because it’s true.

“It really is incredible and I’m very humbled to be asked to be tournament host again.

“To have your name attached to something of this quality is unique and I’m very privileged to be hosting again.”

Homework will be key for the players

Montgomerie insists the buzz of facing a new challenge on the new course is already building ahead of the event and having viewed the course for the first time on Thursday the Scot believes homework is going to prove crucial in the tournament.

He said: “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us at the Legends Tour to come here.

“It will be good to put the new course on the map and to have this for us, I think, is superb.

“The lads are going to be thrilled to have a new challenge after three years on the old course.

Colin Montgomerie visited the new course at Trump International for the first time on Thursday. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

“Homework is going to be so important. On these greens, there’s a lot of movement but even with the shorter shots there is going to be a lot of strategy involved.

“That means there’s going to be lot we’ll have to work out.

“There’ll be a lot of people coming here earlier than normal for practice rounds and to figure out where not to go more than where to go and for me that is going to make this year’s event very interesting.”

Legends Tour is growing stronger every year

Montgomerie anticipates a stellar field pitching up at the course near Balmedie for the event and with more players becoming eligible to join the Legends Tour in the near future he believes the tour as a whole is only going to grow stronger.

He said: “We’ve got (the Senior Open at) Gleneagles then we’ve got (the) Portugal Invitational before this event and I’m hoping a few of the guys that are playing in both of them stay on for the extra one here as well.

“The field gets stronger and stronger every year. There are more Ryder Cup players, ex-Ryder Cup players like Jamie Donaldson and Stephen Gallacher.

“Potentially we’ve got Henrik Stenson too and with the likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald all coming through it’s only going to get stronger.

“I think it’s fabulous; the more the merrier.”

Montgomerie urges MacIntyre to be patient

Montgomerie was at Trump International on Thursday, the same day the second major of the year, the US PGA Championship, got under way.

Oban’s Robert MacIntyre is flying the flag for Scotland at Aronimink in Pennsylvania as he chases his first major victory.

The Scot tied for second in the US Open last year but cut a frustrated figure at the Masters last month where he was reprimanded following on-course outbursts during his first round.

Montgomerie, regarded as one of the best players to never win a major, understands the frustration but has urged his countryman to be patient and enjoy the chase.

Monty, who has won three senior majors, said: “If I was to give him any advice it’s not to try too hard.

“I think after the success of the US Open, which was a real success to finish runner-up and one putt from going into a play-off, he’s putting pressure on himself.

“If he just relaxes and tries to be more patient and let his talent shine through, there will be more opportunities to win these major events.

“It’s not easy. In my prime I suppose there were 15 guys who could win a major before Tiger Woods came along. Then there were one or two and he was normally both them.

“Now you’ve got maybe 30 who can win it and Bob is one of them which is great, but he’s got another 29 guys to beat.

“It’s not easy. You’ve got Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy who are so good and then you’ve got these young guys coming through as well.

“It’s not a given that he’s going to win a major. I’d love him to, obviously. But I think if he’s more patient and lets it happen, and lets the talent shine through, and not force it, I think he’s got more opportunity.”