Monty wants to win on Merit

COLIN MONTGOMERIE has space in his cabinet for one more Order of Merit trophy - and believes he is finally ready to fill it.

Montgomerie had a special display made to house his seven Harry Vardon trophies for winning the money list between 1993 and 1999, with a gap left for number eight.

It looked as though that space would remain empty when the Scot slumped to 28th in Europe in 2003 and 25th last year, a traumatic divorce and the advancing years taking a heavy toll on his game.

But the 42-year-old's first victory in 19 months in last week's Dunhill Links Championship has lifted him into second place on the money list, just £86,000 behind US Open champion Michael Campbell with four events remaining.

The first of those is the American Express Championship in San Francisco, which gets under way today and offers a first prize of £735,000, while Montgomerie is also playing the Madrid Open and season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

"As the years go on you probably don't think you can be number one again," Montgomerie said. "I didn't believe it but now I do.

"I had a trophy cabinet made up and there is a gap with a question mark on the year. I would love it to be 2005 but if not we battle on for next year.

"I am still a fair way behind so I want to gain as much as possible so I can go into the last event with an opportunity.

"I know then if I win, I win. I had to do that once before in 1993 and Valderrama would be a lovely place to do it."

Ninth place at Harding Park is worth £87,590 although with Campbell also in the field and guaranteed £18,000 simply for turning up - there is no cut for the 71-strong San Francisco field - Montgomerie will need to finish seventh or better to overtake the New Zealander.

"If I win again I have a great chance and if I do it will be a fantastic bonus," added Montgomerie, who only arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday evening and got his first look at the course yesterday morning.

"To win it seven times and then come back six years later and win it again... I could happily walk away from this game but I am not going to. I am going to keep battling on and I would love to play on the Ryder Cup team in Ireland.

"I hated getting picked (for Oakland Hills). I felt left out somehow. Bernhard Langer made me very welcome but I hated having to get picked. I want to earn my spot and be part of the thing."

That looks almost certain even now, with Montgomerie top of the Ryder Cup points standings courtesy of last Sunday's massive winner's cheque of £450,000.

Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen has withdrawn from the American Express Championship because of a groin injury.

He becomes the second player from the world's top five to miss the event, with fellow South African and world number three Ernie Els having been ruled out from all golf after knee surgery in August.

Goosen's absence could have a significant impact on his bid to win the European Tour's Order of Merit for a third time, having claimed back-to-back titles in 2001-2.

The South African is currently third in the list, £93,000 behind Campbell.

Goosen, the world number five, has been carrying the groin injury for some time and did not play last week but has been unable to shake off the problem.