Montgomerie's in good form

Michael Campbell wants to visit the Seven Wonders of the World before he dies. What he saw today, though, was the wonder of Colin Montgomerie.

Striving for a remarkable eighth European Order of Merit title Montgomerie opened the season-ending Volvo Masters with a four under par 67 to be joint leader with defending champion Ian Poulter.

Campbell, who has to finish in the top five just to have a chance of catching Montgomerie on the money list, managed only a 72 and is down in joint 23rd spot.

Montgomerie was understandably delighted – especially as he admitted to feeling anxious at the start.

“That’s understandable. Human nature,” said the 42-year-old Scot.

“I’ve been playing well, but there was an anxiety and I got rid of that in the first three holes.”

He birdied two of them and, after bogeying the fifth, he made a 25-footer at the short sixth and then sank an 111-yard wedge for an eagle two on the eighth.

He explained: “It landed a yard past and spun back in. That’s the intention, but it’s always lucky when it comes off and that was a good boost.”

The rest of the round did not match the start, but at the last he birdied again and Campbell bogeyed.

There will be no celebrating yet – “I won’t be having a Freddie Flintoff” - but Montgomerie is oozing confidence.

He continued: “That’s my second best score round here and I’m hitting it further, straighter, better than I’ve ever done.”

Some of the thanks for that, he believes, goes to Bernhard Langer.

He added: “If I hadn’t been picked for the last Ryder Cup – I was 27th on the table and he took a risk – I would not be here bow.

“It was crucial for my career. It was going in the opposite direction and he gave me the opportunity.”