Montgomerie hopeful as Westwood shoots 76

Colin Montgomerie, making a last-ditch bid to retain his title as Europe's top golfer, moved to within two shots of the clubhouse lead in the first round of the Volvo Masters on Thursday.

The Scot, needing to win the last two events of the European Tour season to win the order of merit title for the eighth year in a row, was on three under par after eight holes, chasing early leader Pierre Fulke's opening round of five-under-par 67.

Westwood, best placed to end Montgomerie's seven-year reign at the top of the order of merit, dropped six shots over four closing holes to card a wretched four over-par 76, nine shots behind leaders Pierre Fulke and Maria Jose Olazabal.

Darren Clarke, lurking just behind Westwood on the money list, made light of increasingly windy conditions at the Montecastillo course, finishing with three birdies for a 68 and a share of third place.

Montgomerie, who needs to win this event as well as next week's season-ending Valderrama World Championship event to retain his title, also mastered the conditions to finish in a tie for third at three under.

"I'm two shots off the lead, exactly where I want to be," the Scot said. "And they know it, too."

Englishman Greg Owen and Scot Dean Robertson were the other men on four under, with Gordon Brand junior, last week's winner of the Italian Open, and Argentine Angel Cabrera alongside Montgomerie.

While Sweden's Fulke took advantage of the easy morning conditions during his round of 67, Olazabal excelled in the wind, carding an eagle and two birdies on the back nine.

In contrast, Westwood fell apart from the 14th, immediately after an eagle and birdie had taken him to two under. Two bogeys and two double bogeys followed. The low point came at the par-five 16th when the Englishman twice found water and twice found the sand on the way to a seven.

Dane Thomas Bjorn, fourth on the order of merit, struggled to a 78.

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