Golf: Seve sees off Monty

Colin Montgomerie suffered defeat to Seve Ballesteros - ranked 1,211 places below in the world rankings - yet again in the Seve Trophy today.

The respective captains of the Britain and Ireland and Continental Europe teams met at Druids Glen just as they did at Sunningdale two years ago.

And the result, after an extraordinary comedy of errors from both men, was a last-green victory for the 45-year-old Spaniard, who after seven years without tournament success has slumped to 1,240th in the world. Last time it was two and one.

Ballesteros finished the match seven over par and Montgomerie two over, but it was the fact that Montgomerie three-putted three times and Ballesteros had only 26 putts in total that decided it.

The difference from Sunningdale was that Montgomerie looked like lifting the trophy at the end of the day, however.

Britain and Ireland led 11-8 and needed only 2 1/2 points from the last seven games. They were ahead in four of them.

Ballesteros said: ‘‘It really wasn’t a good game. My hands are frozen and it was a total battle against each other and the course.

’’Probably Monty was trying too hard, but nothing worked for him. I didn’t feel very good out there we’ve both very tired and it’s been a long week.’’

Ballesteros, however, ended it as the only player with a 100% record. Heplayed just twice, whereas Montgomerie played a maximum five times.

Final day of the Seve Trophy match, Great Britain and Ireland v Continental Europe, at Druids Glen, County Wicklow, Ireland

(GB & Irl names first, GB and Irl lead 10-6 after first two days):

Singles Results

Darren Clarke bt Thomas Bjorn 4 and 3

Paul Casey lost to Miguel Angel Jimenez 4 and 3

Colin Montgomerie lost to Seve Ballesteros 1 hole