LEGENDARY Ryder Cup golfer Colin Montgomerie can't wait to tee off in the 2005 Wales Open, because he loves the support he gets in Newport and South Wales.

Montgomerie, the seven-time European order of merit winner, told the Argus yesterday that he considers the Wales Open to be one of his favourite events, largely due to the fanatical supporters.

Last year the event coincided with Montgomerie enduring a stormy time with his personal life and the army of supporters in Newport reacted by treating Montgomerie as a home-town hero.

He explained: "The supporters in Newport and throughout South Wales are absolutely fantastic, terrific fans who for whatever reason show me fantastic support.

"When I walked on to the first tee on Saturday at last year's event, it was like I had won the whole thing, the supporters were fabulous, absolutely terrific, it was unforgettable."

Montgomerie will be making his third appearance at the Celtic Manor event when it kicks off on June 2, and he is delighted to see big-name players such as Miguel Angel Jimenez, Thomas Bjorn and Nick Faldo also signing up to play this year.

"I like to be known as a European Tour supporter and representative and think people appreciate that about me," he explained.

"The field here does seem to improve year on year, the event is forever growing and it delights me when I am considered as someone who resists America and supports these types of tournaments, because I have always been happier playing in Europe.

"Nick is not in the greatest of form, which he'd be the first to admit, but he is always a threat and always delights the galleries and Thomas and Miguel are great players as well so it is good for the tournament."

Montgomerie is confident with his own game after making a flurry of low scores so far this year to lead the stroke index on the European Tour, also improving his ranking by around 30 places, moving up to 53. But it is still not enough for Monty, who admits that he has some very specific aims for the coming year.

"First and foremost, I must be back into the top 50 in the world, Montgomerie said. "But I have enjoyed a fair amount of success, particularly on the European Tour, so I will be looking to win every tournament I play in, including the Wales Open, because I came pretty close last year before losing my way on the Saturday."