Westwood beats Montgomerie in playoff

Lee Westwood beat Colin Montgomerie, the man recognized as the master of Wentworth, at the second sudden-death hole of a riveting Cisco World Match Play championship final on Monday.

Their rain-hit clash started on Sunday afternoon and ended 38 holes later when Westwood finally toppled his British compatriot by rolling home an 18-foot uphill birdie putt on the second green.

Montgomerie's attempt at a half missed by inches, but the defending champion had conceded his crown with extreme reluctance against the player who could soon succeed him as Europe's No. 1.

The Scot, who has shown his taste for the West Course by winning back-to-back British PGA titles plus the Match Play in his three previous visits, came out fighting for the second half of the contest

He had turned his two-hole overnight deficit into a one-hole lead after the opening eight holes of the second trip around Wentworth.

Both started with par-4s but England's Westwood, currently top of the European rankings after five PGA Tour wins this year -- plus one other -- bogeyed the par-3 154-yard second to have his lead reduced to one.

The next three holes were shared before Montgomerie birdied the 354-yard par-4 sixth to square the match.

Another birdie at the par-4 eighth saw Montgomerie take the lead for the first time since the sixth hole on Sunday, but Westwood was level when he birdied 13 and his rival bogeyed.

Westwood nosed ahead again when Montgomerie three-putted the 14th hole, but he promptly missed from three feet on the next hole to set up the thrilling finale.

The following two were halved although Westwood saved himself at the 571-yard 17th with a brilliant 15-foot putt for a half in birdies.

It was Montgomerie's turn to be under pressure at the last after he chipped eight feet short.

In went the birdie putt and the pair walked to the 473-yard opening hole for a deciding confrontation in the rain.

The first was halved in par before the duel was finally decided at the 154-yard third.

Westwood boosted his prize money by another 250,000 pounds ($362,000) while Montgomerie, who must know his seven-year run as Europe's top player could well be over, pocketed 120,000 pounds ($174,000).

"I didn't putt well in regulation play today until the 17th really," said Westwood. "I was due that one when I rolled it in. It was a big putt, and then the one at the second hole was right in the middle.

"Six titles in one season. It's another step towards another record.

"I was shattered this morning. I played 42 holes yesterday (included completing semifinal). Okay, I didn't hit it very often, but it's still a long walk and I played 20 holes today.

"The quality of the golf was fantastic. I played my socks off to beat Sergio Garcia. Ernie Els (semifinal opponent) was the same and 13 under against Monty for 38 holes is good. The people I've beaten give me a lot of pleasure. They've all been good scalps."

Montgomerie was gracious in defeat.

"First of all I must give credit to Lee ... all credit to him for holing a monster putt at 17. That was crucial to the outcome of the game.

"He's had a great year and he's favorite to take another of my titles at the end of the year. I've got to play very well to prevent that from happening.

"As regards myself, I'm glad that my game is back in some semblance of order and I am not ashamed to have lost out there today.

"Through the week, I've had a record score -- 37-under par -- and I've come out second. That shows the sort of play Lee must have had during that time, but I'm not ashamed of anything this week.

"I just unfortunately lost in one shot out of how many -- about 145 shots each -- and I've lost by one shot over that time."

Westwood said he was going to give the Order of Merit title his best shot.

"That's all I can do, try my hardest at the next few tournaments. But like I've said in the last few months, basically I just turn up to each event and try to win. If I do, the Order of Merit will take care of itself, so we'll see."

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