If not quite invincible these days, Colin Montgomerie is darn close to it. And does the big Scot know it? Of course he does, so, rather than vegetate for a week before departing to the United States for his latest assault on a major, Montgomerie has decided to chase more lucre - and another title - in the English Open which commences today at Hanbury Manor, near Ware, some 30 miles north of London.

Indeed, Monty, ever the accumulator of specific goals, has more targets on his mind. It is five years since he last accomplished back-to-back wins on the European Tour (when he added the German Open to the English Open in 1994) and he has never won three tournaments in a four-week stretch, a situation he is seeking to rectify here having captured the International Open and the Volvo PGA inside the past four weeks.

The weakish field should be a help, if he needs such assistance. Only two other players from the world's top 50 - Lee Westwood, the defending champion, who is eighth, and Ireland's Darren Clarke, now down to 26th - are playing in an event that offers Stg£119,000 to the winner. Is there a danger he could take his foot off the pedal? "Not at all . . . I'm as ambitious as ever," replied Montgomerie, now 2 to 5 to take a seventh consecutive Order of Merit. "I thrive on competition and if I get into a position to win, I'll take it."

There is a feeling afoot, in fact, that, given his current form, only a freakish injury (like the one that forced Ian Woosnam to withdraw yesterday after he injured a hand playing with one of his children), the weather (anticipated to be bad for the duration of the tournament) or the ghost that reputedly haunts the course can deprive a superstitious Montgomerie.

"Touch wood," he said, "but in 11 years as a professional I've never missed a tournament due to injury or ill health." Montgomerie is a man known to look after himself. Earlier this year he went on a family skiing holiday, but refused to ski; and although he lists DIY as a hobby, he won't climb a ladder. "It would be damn silly to take such risks," added the Scot. "I need my hands, and I need my legs."

Such care is extended to the golf course, although Montgomerie admitted to a little tiredness creeping in. "Even a five-shot victory, like at Wenworth, takes it out of you . . . physically I'm alright, but you do get a little tired mentally. However, I think today's nine holes (in the weather curtailed Pro-Am) has got rid of any rustiness."

This will be Montgomerie's last tournament prior to flying out next week to prepare for the US Open at Pinehurst, a major he considers the most suitable to his game. However, the conditions at Hanbury Manor - on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus Jnr and Harry Vardon - are about as far removed as he will find in North Carolina. "The rough isn't as tough as last year, which is a pity," said Westwood, now fully recovered from a shoulder injury that has hampered him for the past month.

The Irish challenge is rather smaller than usual, with just five players in the field. Clarke, who was 12th here two years ago, likes the course and is seeking to confirm his rediscovered form ahead of the trip to Pinehurst. However, the rest of the Irish contingent have perhaps less lofty aims: Des Smyth, Philip Walton and John McHenry all continue the quest towards keeping their cards, while Eamonn Darcy is hoping to get through the week without a recurrence of the back ailment that forced his withdrawal at Wentworth. If any of them manage to finish in front of Monty, then they'll be contending for the title.