Monty faces Campbell duel

Colin Montgomerie is in a straight two-way fight with Michael Campbell as he bids for a record eighth European Order of Merit title after Retief Goosen’s decision not to enter next week’s Volvo Masters.

Goosen’s agent revealed that a recent groin injury had forced the South African to rethink his schedule and his next appearance will be in America.

Montgomerie, 42, is chasing his first Order of Merit title since 1999 and New Zealander Campbell, who did not play in the Madrid Open and is not competing in this week’s Majorca Classic either, now trails the Scot by over €153,000.

That means Campbell has to finish in the top five at Valderrama just to have a chance.

A win would give him the number one spot, while if the US Open winner is second Montgomerie would have to tie with him.

If Campbell is third, fourth or fifth, Montgomerie’s task is to finish eighth, 22nd or 54th respectively.

Goosen had been the only other player in the hunt but is now out of the race.

First, third and eighth in his last three starts, Montgomerie is all but certain now to be part of the Ryder Cup team again – even with 10 months of the race still to go.