Colin Montgomerie: "I don't suffer from nerves"

The 34-year-old sank a 10ft birdie at Wentworth's final hole to avoid a play-off against the second placed trio that included world number one, Ernie Els.

The £200,000 prize money consolidates Montgomerie's enviable position as Europe's leading money-winner for the past five seasons.

He also secured an important psychological victory, beating Els just four weeks before the pair do battle again at the US Open in San Francisco.

Jubilant - Colin Montgomerie after his victory

In previous showdowns, Monty has come second. "The most pleasing thing of the day is to see Ernie Els in the runners-up spot," he said in his winner's speech.

"It does not happen very often that he has to listen to me, but I hope it's the same result at the US Open."

Having started one stroke ahead of the field on the final day's play in Surrey, Montgomerie lost his lead to Gary Orr first and then to his playing-partner and fellow Scot, Dean Robertson.

In all there were 19 changes at the top of the leaderboard during the afternoon.

By the time he reached the final tee, Montgomerie knew he needed a birdie for a win or a par to enter the play-off.

Mongomerie's wife cheers his win

He had eagled the hole on Saturday, but when it really mattered his first drive landed in the rough.

He picked himself up with the second drive, landing 105yds shorts of the flag.

His next effort took him to just 10ft away and Montgomerie composed himself for the all-important putt.

It wasn't perfect - he admitted afterwards that he had pushed it wide of where he was aiming - but it fell in all the same.

Later he reasoned: "I don't suffer from nerves in a crisis. I know now that I can do it when it matters.

"I made a four to win the Ryder Cup last September and although I didn't think of it the experience obviously helped me. But I won it the hard way.

Now fifth in the Order of Merit, his mind is focussed on winning his first ever major.