TOM WATSON'S age-defying performance in The Open at Turnberry shows Colin Montgomerie that he can still be a Major contender.

That was the message to the Scot from one of sport's top psychologists today as he looked back on the remarkable events of Sunday.

Jos Vanstiphout is widely credited with turning Ernie Els, who finished in a tie for seventh spot in Ayrshire, into a dominant force in the sport.

And the enigmatic little Belgian mind coach has not just made a significant impact with his teachings in the Royal and Ancient game either.

Freddie Flintoff, who took five wickets in England's win over Australia in the second Ashes Test at Lord's yesterday, reckons he is responsible for helping him fulfil his potential.

So, when the Vanstiphout insists that Monty is NOT finished as a tournament winner then it is worth sitting up and taking notice.

The 46-year-old's future prospects seem pretty bleak at the precise moment after a bitterly disappointing week both on and off the Ailsa course.

The eight-times European Tour Order of Merit winner missed the halfway cut in the Major - a fate he blamed on the comments made by his countryman Sandy Lyle.

His fellow Scot, who was overlooked as Ryder Cup skipper by the European Tour in favour of Monty, claimed he had cheated in the Indonesian Open four years ago.

The row between two of the Home of Golf's greatest ever players rumbled on all week and has still not been resolved properly.

But Jos reckons the Troon man must turn the whole sorry affair to his advantage - by going out and showing golf fans he is still a true champion.

He explained: "What Sandy said won't just affect him in The Open, it will affect him for a very long time.

"Let me put it this way, if he is able to put it out of his mind then he is the mentally strongest person I have ever met in my life. I don't think that is the case.

"I think that Sandy made a mistake by saying what he said. Even if he is right or wrong, then he shouldn't have said it. It's not up to me to judge him, but it wasn't a good idea. Sandy obviously regrets what he has done.

"But it will still influence Colin. Big time. He will feel embarrassed and all the negative feeling and emotions will come up into his mind.

"It is not good for Monty."

Vanstiphout added: "If he would ask me my advice I would tell him that he can use it in a positive or in a negative way.

"The negative way is to carry the affair with you and let it drag you down. If you take it negatively, though, you won't have much chance of making a cut in a golf tournament. You can forget about ever winning a golf tournament.

"But you can use it in a positive way. Every negative thought that creeps into his mind can be used as a positive."

He went on: "Colin should think: 'I can show everybody'. Not necessarily show Sandy, but show anybody who doubts him. He should go out and show the world what a class player he was and still is, that it wasn't a fluke that he won so many golf tournaments.

"As I said, if he is able to brush this thing off, then he is one of the strongest guys in the world. He is a human being like everyone else and this will hurt.

"But he is strong guy, one of the best players in the Tour's history, he has done a hell of a lot in the sport, and for the profile of the game.

"I would say to him: 'C'mon Monty, go and turn the negative into a positive and show them who you are'. If Tom Watson can contend in a Major at 59 then Monty is by no means finished."

Vanstiphout was pleased to see star client Els stage a late bid to land the Claret Jug for the second time at Turnberry on Sunday with a final round 68.

And he feels there is more to come from the South African, who has struggled to recapture former glories in recent seasons, in the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine next month.

He said: "Ernie is back where he belongs. His attitude right now is very positive. If he is able to hole a couple of putts then he won't be far off."