By Rich Copley
Staff Writer
Augusta Chronicle

As Colin Montgomerie worked his way down the back nine at the Augusta National on Wednesday afternoon, some fans would say, ``There's Colin Montgomerie, the No. 2 golfer in the world.''

But the most common exclamation was, ``He looks thinner.''

Indeed, Montgomerie recently took some time off and dropped, he says, about 40 pounds. Gone is the pudgy body under a rumpled shirt and several chins. Wednesday he looked smooth in an ice blue sweater and gray slacks.

Some think he'd look sharp in a green jacket.

``He's got some desire in him,'' two-time Masters champion Nick Faldo says. ``He wants to play well.''

And he thinks he can.

Montgomerie is relaxed coming into the tournament, saying he's off to a ``flying start'' this year having tied for second at the Players Championship. Montgomerie isn't worried about his game, is making fewer mistakes and is particularly confident on his tee shots.

``I'm playing the best golf I've ever played. And I can only say that I'm very much looking forward to this week,'' Montgomerie says.

But he emphasizes that the weight loss wasn't to improve his golf game.

``I did it to improve my health and self-belief and sort of that type way,'' Montgomerie says. ``I didn't need to lose weight to become a better golfer. It just happens that I'm stronger now because I work out at the same time.''

He maintains an exercise routine in the United States and runs occasionally. His diet includes a light breakfast, salad lunch, low-fat dinner and ``nothing that contains the word fried.''

So, does it sound like a good time to break that winless streak on American soil?

He finished at No. 1 on the PGA European Tour's Order of Merit for the third straight year in 1995, winning the German Open and the Trophee Lancome. His career earnings through 1995 are $6,198,333.

But he's never won in the United States, though he was in playoffs in the 1995 PGA Championship and the 1994 U.S. Open.

``They always say you've got to lose one before you can win one,'' Montgomerie says. ``I've lost a few now.''

Last year, he broke through the 70 barrier at the Masters, shooting 69s on Friday and Sunday. But he also shot a 76 on Saturday.

``That's got to be cut out,'' he says. ``I've just got to cut out the bad putting round, and if I can do that and turn that 76 into a 70, then that's what you've got to do.

``That's what the winner's got to do.''