Garcia catches Montgomerie over final holes

Colin Montgomerie let a six-shot lead get away over the closing five holes at Valderrama on Saturday to allow Spain's Sergio Garcia to catch him in the Volvo Masters third round.

Montgomerie bogeyed the 14th and then double-bogeyed the infamous long 17th by hitting into the water with his third shot.

The 42-year-old Scot turned a round of 67 into a 70 and had to settle for just a share of the lead with Garcia.

The Spaniard went the other way, birdieing three of the last four holes for a 68.

On 10-under-par 203, the pair are four strokes ahead of the field but even though Montgomerie still looks favourite to land his eighth order of merit title, his stumbling finish gave hope to his only rival for the honour, Michael Campbell.

While the New Zealander is still six strokes behind and trailing Montgomerie on the order of merit, he has not given in.

Montgomerie's unexpected finish left him visibly shaken but equally determined to win and become European number one again.

"I have an agenda, to beat 53 other guys," said Montgomerie. "I'm proud of what I'm doing. This isn't easy and it's proving it.

"There's nothing wrong with my game. I just hit my shot a bit heavy (at the 17th), unfortunately, and Sergio had a great finish."

Campbell's faultless 68 with two birdies in the last three holes took the New Zealand U.S. Open champion up to eighth place.

"Let the golfing gods take their toll," said Campbell. "Kiwis don't surrender, not until the fat lady sings. Eighteen holes is still a lot of holes to play and I'll be giving it 110 per cent."

Garcia, who lost in a playoff last year to Britain's Ian Poulter, is sure he can go one better this time but said he knew Montgomerie would be a tough opponent.

"It was nice to hit some good shots at the end and put a bit of pressure on Monty," said Garcia, whose stunning approach to three feet on the last eased him into a share of the lead.

"He helped me a little with his double-bogey on 17 but Monty's playing well and know I won't be able to shoot 70-71 to win."

Poulter (72) is still in with a chance of back-to-back wins, holding third place with fellow-countrymen Lee Westwood (67) and Paul Broadhurst (67) and Ireland's Paul McGinley (65).

Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal, winner last week in Majorca, is a further stroke back, a shot in front of Campbell, after a 68.

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