PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The forthcoming year is a big one for Colin Montgomerie, who is trying to get into the top 50 in the world to qualify for the Masters and hopes to make his ninth consecutive Ryder Cup team.
From where does he draw inspiration?
Boo Weekley, of course.
Montgomerie was enchanted with America's fun-loving country boy during the Omega Mission Hils World Cup, where Monty and Marc Warren edged out the U.S. team of Weekley and Heath Slocum to bring Scotland its first title over the Thanksgiving weekend.
"He's a character, Boo," Montgomerie said. "I'll tell you what, Boo can play golf. Boo is very good. Boo is excellent. And he's got that complete, laid-back attitude that is superb for this game. He doesn't seem to care. It's amazing how many putts go in when you don't seem to be bothered, and that's him."
Montgomerie was particularly amused to hear that Weekley was hunting when he learned he would be playing in the World Cup. The way Monty tells it, Weekley was "in a tree trying to kill something."
That's called hunting.
The Scot was in good spirits at the Target World Challenge, despite opening with an 80. He played 14 under par the rest of the week to tie for eighth. When asked why he seemed so relaxed, Montgomerie again referenced his new hero.
"I'm taking a leaf out of Boo's book, really," he said. "We should all learn from a bit of Boo. I won't be climbing trees, mind you, and I won't be killing anything from there. But yeah, I'm relaxed as I can be."
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