Montgomerie wins as Ferrie sinks

Colin Montgomerie, five behind with a round to go, pulled off his first win for 19 months at St Andrews today – in a manner he never could have envisaged.

Montgomerie became the third Scottish winner of the Dunhill links championship in its five-year existence with a one-under-par 71, thanks to clear overnight leader Kenneth Ferrie crashing to a 77 in the wind and cold.

They were level with one hole to play, but whereas Ferrie three-putted for the fifth time in the round Montgomerie got down in two from left of the green for a winning birdie.

It takes the 42-year-old second in the Order of Merit and top of the Ryder Cup points table.

Joint third were Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, Dane Anders Hansen and Swedes Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson. Of those Stenson had the best chance, but bogeyed the 16th and 17th.

Darren Clarke was in joint seventh place on six under par. Paul McGinley finished on one over.