Colin Montgomerie is in contention for his fourth ever PGA Championship victory after carding a first-round 69 at Wentworth.

The 45-year-old won the European Tour's showpiece event three times in a row beginning in 1998 but has struggled for form since being named Ryder Cup captain, missing the cut in the Italian and Spanish Opens.

And despite returning to form, Mongomerie, who finished a disappointing 41st in the Irish Open last Sunday, admitted the captaincy was still affecting his game.

"It is a huge distraction," said Montgomerie. "I had three hours of meetings yesterday afternoon.

"I am trying to do three or four jobs at the one time but the 69 today is good.

"I feel capable of winning. It's just a matter of going out and proving it to myself again and I haven't been doing that.

"One 69 is okay but what I have to do tomorrow is put another one on the board and then another one and then we get to nine or 10-under on Saturday night and that's my goal, to be in contention for Sunday.

"If I can do that the next two days I'll be thrilled."