Monty loses at Valderrama, but wins eighth Merit title

Colin Montgomerie won the European Order of Merit title for the eighth time at Valderrama in Spain today – but saw the Volvo Masters title lifted by Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley.

The 42-year-old Scot, who came into the week nearly €154,000 ahead of only remaining challenger Michael Campbell, was home and dry in the money list race when the New Zealander failed to achieve the fourth place finish he needed just to have a chance.

But Montgomerie, who had been six strokes clear in the tournament after 13 holes of the third round, had a double bogey and four bogeys on the final day.

McGinley, nine adrift at halfway, had a closing 67 to take the €662,449 title - only his fourth in 361 European tour events.

After a double bogey and triple bogey in his first seven holes on Thursday he did not have a bogey in the last 53 holes.