Golf: Montgomerie sounds PGA alarm

Colin Montgomerie served a US PGA Championship warning as he extended his lead in Europe's order of merit after cruising to the Scandinavian Masters title in Malmo, Sweden, by nine strokes yesterday.

The victory provided the European No 1 with the largest winning margin of the year, two strokes better than British Open champion Paul Lawrie managed in February's Qatar Masters. It was also the first time he has won four tournaments in one year. A closing 3-under 69 for a 20-under 268, enhanced by two birdies in the last three holes, took him nine better than the defending champion, Jesper Parnevik of Sweden.

New Zealander Greg Turner finished 12 shots off the pace in a tie for ninth after shooting an even par 72 which included two birdies and three bogeys.

Compatriot Michael Campbell was a shot back in a tie for 14th after an interesting 72 that was mixed with a double bogey, three bogeys and five birdies, including three on the final holes.

Montgomerie's 21st European Tour career victory took him nearly $713,000 clear of his nearest challenger on the order of merit, absent fellow Briton Lee Westwood.

Montgomerie now flies to Chicago in an attempt to go one better than his losing playoff in the US PGA Championship to Steve Elkington four years ago.

This will be the second time this season he will arrive at a major with a victory behind him the week before - after winning at Loch Lomond before the British Open.