Golf: Monty's year starts off well

MELBOURNE - Scot Colin Montgomerie put the golfing disappointments of 2000 behind him by winning his first tournament of the year, the $A1 million ($1.23 million) Ericsson Masters at Melbourne.

Europe's premier player last decade stayed just off the pace over the first three rounds but chipped beautifully and putted soundly in testing conditions yesterday at the Huntingdale course to card a three-under 69. It was enough for a one-shot win on a day when most of the leaders went backwards.

Montgomerie had to wait in the clubhouse on 10-under while young Australians Brett Rumford and Nathan Green played out the final three holes. But they could not improve their scores, with Green finishing second and Rumford third.

Rumford, who shot a course-record 64 on Saturday to lead overnight, struggled on the fast greens yesterday. He was runner-up in the tournament last year, to New Zealander Michael Campbell.

Montgomerie earned $A180,000 for winning, but that paled next to Newcastle's Green, who picked up a cool $A500,000 for a hole-in-one on the par-three 12th.

The big Scot failed to top the European order of merit for the first time in eight seasons last year and had to contend with much-publicised marriage difficulties.

He is just the second European to win the tournament, after German Bernhard Langer in 1985.

"I wasn't actually going to come here but I got a late invite," said Montgomerie. "I haven't played tournament golf since December 6 and I'm so glad I came now.

"The greens were very quick, particularly from 15 on, thanks to the wind. To play 68 holes without dropping a shot here is good. That's why I've won. It was always going to be about the mistakes you didn't make."

In a repeat of last year, the final round became a war of attrition as the greens took on glass-like status and the stiff winds that have dogged the course all week reared again.



All six New Zealanders were over par yesterday, with only Steve Alker finishing the tournament under the card. He was in a tie for 19th on four-under after finishing with a 74.

Australasian order of merit leader Aaron Baddeley finished down the field on five-under, leaving Campbell with a chance of defending his leading money-winner title.

Campbell is second and can take the lead at the season-ending $A1.5 million ANZ Championship in Sydney next week.

- NZPA