ST. ANDREWS – One of the great ironies of this week’s preparation for the 2000 British Open, which tees off today on the Old Course at St. Andrews, was Colin Montgomerie going public about how Nick Faldo doesn’t have a chance to win this Open because his mind is too “cluttered” with swing thoughts and such.

Montgomerie ought to look in the mirror.

John Daly aside, there might not be more of a head case in the field than the

man who goes by a number of nicknames, including “The Burly Scot” to “Mrs. Doubtfire” to “The Heat Mizer” for his frumpy appearance and pained facial expressions.

“I don’t quite understand why there is so much pressure on Colin to win the Open,” 1996 British Open winner Tom Lehman said. “Without question is it a pressure that comes from within, and it’s hard for me to grasp that. In the U.S. Open, the Americans don’t feel that kind of pressure to win our home tournament.

“It is a major and you try to win it, that is all. I think Colin needs to look at the British Open in the same way – as another major, and one he’s capable of winning. He needs to focus on this as a major and forget about where he is.

“To win a major you need a lot of things, some lucky breaks among them, but more than anything you need to be mentally strong.”

Lehman wasn’t being critical of Montgomerie, but his underlying point was clear: Montgomerie has not yet shown himself to be mentally tough enough to block out the distractions and inevitable bad breaks that come with these grueling championships.

Montgomerie has more hot buttons you can push to irritate and infuriate him than your grumpiest relative.

Mention Tiger Woods, for example, and Montgomerie’s face contorts.

“I know you are fed up with people talking about Tiger Woods …” went one question to Montgomerie yesterday before it was interrupted.

“Yes I am,” Montgomerie chimed in. “Next question.”

Minutes earlier, when an American reporter suggested that, after Montgomerie said length won’t be a big advantage here because of the dry, hard and fast fairways, Woods wouldn’t be one of the favorites, he took exception.

“I never said he wasn’t experienced for God’s sake,” Montgomerie said. “First American question, first American question about Tiger Woods. I said the less experienced players might attempt to go for some sucker pins and find themselves in trouble. I did not mention names.”

Mention Montgomerie’s failure to win a major title despite his magnificent European Tour record and he spins tales about how, if he never wins a major, he’ll still be satisfied with his career.

“No, no, this is not now or never for me,” Montgomerie said. “If I don’t win this Open that doesn’t mean I can’t win one. Mark O’Meara came in here when he was 40 [won at Royal Birkdale] and he wasn’t saying that. I believe I’ve got, say, five years at this level. Let’s be in the top 10 the next five years. I have been for seven years in a row now, and I’m very proud of that fact.

“If I achieve that I have 20 opportunities to win a major, right? This is just one of 20.”

Montgomerie’s problem in the British Opens has been what he feels are expectations that are too weighty. In 1997, the Open was played at Troon, where Montgomerie grew up with his father the club’s secretary. He began with a disastrous 76 and finished 24th.

In all, Montgomerie has missed the cut in five of the last eight Opens.

Though he shot a pair of 75s and missed the cut in the ’95 Open here at St. Andrews, Montgomerie said he feels different now.

“I feel I am better,” he said. “I feel improved. I’m possibly a little more relaxed coming in here. When I spoke to you 12 months ago after having won Loch Lomond [an Open warmup here in Scotland] going into Carnoustie there was a certain weight of expectation that was difficult.

“I finished 15th, which wasn’t particularly good. I was looking obviously to do better than that. But this year, the weight of expectation isn’t so great. I believe I am more relaxed.”

Asked how he’s replaced his scowling, pained-expression looks with this new-found relaxed approach, Montgomerie quipped, “Buddhism.”

“I think having achieved what I’ve done in Europe now I would like to enjoy it,” Montgomerie said. “I am trying to enjoy my game more. I am actually a relaxed person right now, and hopefully I will remain that way. This is the best I’ve felt going into an Open.”

A first-round 76 today would be an interesting test to that new approach.