Montgomeries eases to win

Colin Montgomerie destroyed Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and the rest of the field to become the European golf tour's first £8million man.

The 35-year-old Scot won the Benson and Hedges International Open at The Oxfordshire, a place and a tournament in which he has had his share of nightmares, with a brilliantly controlled exhibition which Olazabal described simply as "awesome."

One ahead of the Spanish star overnight, Montgomerie did not drop a stroke all day and with a four under par 68 took the £133,335 first prize - his 18th tour title - by three strokes.

Europe's top money-winner for a record-breaking six seasons in a row finished on the 15 under par total of 273. Argentina's Angel Cabrera and Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson shared second spot and Olazabal in the end finished only 16th after a 74.

Nick Faldo had something to celebrate too - seventh place represented easily his best finish of the year - and Jeremy Robinson broke the course record with a 64 to climb from 55th to sixth, but the day belonged to Montgomerie.

Returning from a three-week break, he had only two bogeys in 72 holes and stated: "I base my game on a lack of mistakes.

"I've been in a good position here two or three times and couldn't capitalise, but today was good."

Three years he led by three with a round to go and in fierce winds shot an horrendous 84.

He closed with an 81 two years ago and last May, when sharing the lead with Darren Clarke, a 72 left him fifth.

With Olazabal not making an impression - his first birdie did not come until the 17th - it was Cabrera who emerged as the biggest danger.

Three birdies in his first seven holes actually took the strapping 29-year-old from Cordoba ahead, but Montgomerie responded by picking up shots on the sixth, ninth and long 11th.

There was still only one in it as the event came to its climax, but Cabrera missed a five-foot birdie putt on the 585-yard 17th and then bogeyed the last after pushing his approach into sand.

Montgomerie did not know his advantage had gone to two as he played his second to the 17th and took on a 252-yard carry over water.

The three-wood proved the winning shot. Although he did not find the green he was on dry land and after chipping to seven feet made the putt to be three clear.

"That was crucial," he said. "I was on a slight downslope and even though it was slightly downwind anybody who understands golf knows you have it hit it solid however strong or good you are.

"It came right off the middle of the bat and as soon as it was in the air the tournament was dead. It was a gutsy shot."

This was only his second appearance on the European circuit this season, but already he is third on the money list behind Miguel Angel Jimenez and David Howell.

He has a massive lead at the top of the Ryder Cup table and even with 16 more events to go he, Olazabal and Jimenez, who finished joint fourth today, look to have booked their places already.

"It's always nice to win in Britain," added Montgomerie, who coming into the week set himself the target of winning two of his next three events.

Montgomerie's wealthy achievement has come with the Scot in his 12th season. No other player has ever won more than £7million on the European Tour.

Faldo, only 103rd in the world rankings at the start of the event, saw his victory hopes disappear with a third round 73, but by closing with a 69 departed a happy man as well.

There was a huge cheer when he holed from 30 feet for a birdie putt on the 17th. "The shock of it gave me a nosebleed," said the 41-year-old.

"I'm obviously pleased with that considering I am rebuilding things.

"I'm working really hard on my swing and that was productive.

"I'm still fiddling a bit, but considering I made big changes at the start of the week it was good. I've stuff to work on and hopefully by Friday (when the Deutsche Bank Open begins in Germany) I'll have grooved it better.

"It's nice to be back home. Everybody is rooting for me and wanting me to turn it round."

He then illustrated the point by telling the story of when he was in London last week. "A van driver leant out of his window and shouted to me 'Nick, ******* sort it out - we need you'. I had to laugh."

Seve Ballesteros did not have as good a finish, a 73 leaving him five under and in 33rd place, but after three opening sub-par rounds the week was further proof that he cannot be written off yet either.

Nor Sandy Lyle, whose first event in Europe since last August saw him end up on four under.

But after a first day 69 that was bitterly disappointing for the Scot, whose last win was 6 1/2 years ago.