Colin Montgomerie denies he has seen a blinding light, insists there has been no Road to Damascus-style conversion.

But when he tees off this afternoon in the 129th Open Championship he maintains his mood will be as calm as the weather which has turned this Eden Estuary into something of a sun-bathers 'Garden of Eden' this past week.

For those golf fans who witnessed the most famous gasket in world golf blowing its lid at Carnoustie 12 months ago when no cameraman, steward, or little boy rustling a packet of crisps was safe from the Monty glare, that would indeed be a transformation of Biblical proportions.

''I feel I am better than 12 months ago. I have improved. I'm more relaxed coming in here,'' said Montgomerie.

''Going into Carnoustie there was a certain weight of expectation that was difficult to play with and I did not do well. I finished 15th or something, it wasn't particularly good. I was looking for better than that.

''This year the weight of expectation is not so great and I am more relaxed. When I am more relaxed I play my best golf.''

The equilibrium certainly appeared in perfect balance as he chatted happily about the tightly-cut St Andrews links which are so slick ''if you did not have spikes on you would slip down the first fairway'', the deep and debilitating bunkers and his own place in golfing history.

The only thing he did not appear keen on addressing was the subject of the world number one and overwhelming favourite. ''I know you are fed up talking about Tiger Woods,'' said one questioner.

''Yes I am, next question,'' came the reply, which to be fair was more in jest than a serious irritation. He went on to rule out the perceived advantage of the world's biggest hitter, however, by claiming that the fairways were so hard he was himself hitting the ball over 380 yards on some holes and had yesterday driven the 357-yard 18th.

But most of all the man cruelly dubbed 'Mrs Doubtfire' by the Americans and who at times has made playing golf seem as pleasurable as walking on hot coals just wants to enjoy himself.

''Having achieved what I have done in the game, especially here in Europe, I would like to enjoy it,'' he said.

''I want to enjoy the experience of it all. If you enjoy something you're usually quite good at it.

"I am trying to enjoy my golf more. I am actually a very relaxed person right now and hopefully I will remain that way.''

The proof of his words will be tested when he tees off today with Americans Davis Love and Tom Scherrer.

Montgomerie, at 37, maintains he is no longer weighed down by the millstone of being ''the best player never to have won a major''.

Not for the first time he cited the example of American Mark O'Meara, who won his first two majors, the Open and the US Masters, at the age of 41.

''This is not now or never,'' said Montgomerie, who has won the European Order of Merit for the last seven years. ''If I don't win this Open that doesn't mean I can't win one.

''Mark O'Meara wasn't saying that. I believe I've got five years left in the top ten. If I achieve that I have 20 opportunities of winning a major. This is just one of the 20.''

Montgomerie, however, has little to boast about in his Open record. In his last ten Opens he has missed the cut five times and his best position was tied eighth in 1994.

To win at St Andrews Montgomerie reckons his putter will need to be as hot as it has been over the past 12 months. ''I am putting a lot better than I ever have,'' he said.

''It is the best time of my career. I feel very confident putting. It is the key here. The pin positions are such that you will have 50 to 60-foot putts. You have to get down in two. I am more confident of doing that this year than ever before.

''People forget in 1995 how John Daly won the Open here. His putting stats were the best of the week. He putted tremendously. Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach putted unbelievably well. It was not just ball-striking ability. You can't win a major and putt badly.''

On top of his precise ball-striking and improved putting there is also the inspirational presence of his home fans, in direct contrast to the agonies he has suffered on foreign shores.

''It is wonderful to play over here,'' he said. ''It is a unique Open because it is 2000. People will always remember in decades who won here at St Andrews. It is a very special event,'' said Montgomerie.

''It is a very proud moment for a Scot to be playing at the top of his game here at home."