Colin Montgomerie off to excellent start

Colin Montgomerie drew first blood in the race to become Europe's number one by grabbing a share of the lead after the first round of the Volvo Masters at Valderrama on Thursday.

The 42-year-old Montgomerie, in a fight with U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell to finish top of the order of merit, joined Volvo Masters title holder and fellow Briton Ian Poulter on four-under-par 67.

New Zealander Campbell, 153,487 euros ($186,000) behind Montgomerie going into this week's final counting event, bogeyed the last hole to register a one-over 72.

A front nine of three-under-par 32 gave Montgomerie the upper hand on playing partner Campbell, including an eagle two at the eighth when he holed out with his wedge from 110 yards.

The Scot, who will rack up his eighth order of merit crown if he stays ahead of Campbell, is erring on the side of caution despite his good start.

"I said I'm here to win the Volvo Masters and that's my intention," Montgomerie told reporters.

"I'll be having a quiet glass of wine tonight but I won't be raising a glass to anyone because it isn't over yet by any means.

"Michael hung on really well and nearly parred the last. This is a forgotten round though and we're all equal tomorrow."

Campbell conceded the day to his rival but not the order of merit.

"I played all right and Monty played some fantastic stuff," Campbell said. "But there's a long way to go.

"Three rounds over this course can change things a lot."

Poulter is trying to do what he did 12 months ago. When the Briton beat Sergio Garcia in a playoff, he continued his sequence of winning every year since his maiden victory in the 2000 Italian Open.

"I've put myself in a position where I can keep my record going," Poulter said.

"I really don't care what the headlines are on Monday morning, whether Monty or Campbell wins, I'm just worrying about myself."

Garcia and fellow Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, whose first win in three years came at Sunday's Majorca Classic, and Briton Luke Donald were one stroke off the lead.

Swede Robert Karlsson and Briton Steve Webster shared sixth place on 69.

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