The king is dead, long live the king. Colin Montgomerie’s seven-year reign at the head of the Order of Merit table came juddering to a halt yesterday after Canada’s Mike Weir won a dramatic staging of the American Express Championship at Valderrama and Lee Westwood, the runner-up, was crowned Europe’s No1.
Weir, 69 for 277, and Westwood, 67 for 279, led the way on a thrilling afternoon for golf as the closing holes at Valderrama produced more twists than the last chapter of a potboiler.
You can never say never in any sport, but Montgomerie’s seven-year stretch as top dog is a record which will take some beating. Although he suffered a disappointing end to his term of office with bogeys at the 17th and 18th holes for 74 and 289, there was no sense of relief on the Scot’s part that his time was up.
Monty, who will play just two more tournaments this year in America and South Africa, suggested he now had other targets in mind. The pursuit of a major title is his main aim.
Montgomerie's main aim in the future is claiming a Major title. Allsport.
"My life certainly doesn’t revolve around the Order of Merit any longer," he reflected.
"There are other, more important things to consider. In a sense I’ve been there and done that.
"There’s no sense of relief at all that I’ve missed out on winning eight in a row. I enjoyed every minute of the seven I did win. Now my aim is to win it back next year - that would be really something.
"If it happens, it happens. What I won’t do is build my life around it.
"The important thing is to play better in events like the World Championship tournaments and the majors."
