And if he does, that famous scowl will be replaced by a smile as wide as the Forth Bridge.

But the fact remains that the more that one of the big four elude him, the less likely the prospects of him breaking his infamous duck actually are.

There are players who have won one, even two Majors that have a fraction of Montgomerie's skill, but instead possess that most vital quality of all - luck.

The Scot could be forgiven for casting a rueful glance at the likes of John Daly, Mark Calcavecchia and Steve Elkington, all Major winners, and be forgiven for shaking his head.

Major jinx

Montgomerie, a seven-time winner of the European Order of Merit, needs to prove to no one that he is among the greatest players of the modern era. No one, that is, except himself.

When it comes to Majors, no other golfer burdens themselves with as much pressure as Montgomerie who, for all his near-misses, appears to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders every time he steps to the tee in the States.

On several occasions, he has allowed some over-zealous member of the crowd to disturb his concentration and let his game slip as a result.

It is no secret either that the energy-sapping heat in which many US Majors are played do not suit a man more accustomed to the howling gales and driving rain of the Scottish links where his game was honed.

The US Open was the closest he ever came to breaking his jinx.

In 1994, he tied for second with Loren Roberts after being blown away in a play-off with Ernie Els. The South African again proved to be Monty's undoing at Congressional in 1997.