Monty has luck of the Irish

On a thrilling final day Colin Montgomerie claimed his 31st European Tour title with victory in the European Open at the K Club. The Scot posted a round of 65 early on to finish on 11 under par and in tough conditions no one could catch him.

Montgomerie began the day four behind overnight leader Soren Hansen but made three birdies on the front nine to move into contention. Niclas Fasth took the lead early on when play was suspended for the first time due to the threat of lightning. When play resumed Montgomerie made two birdies while Fasth dropped shots an 12 and 13.

Montgomerie then made two great up and downs late on after hitting his final two tee shots dangerously close to water hazards. Fasth made a gutsy birdie at 15 but found himself needing a birdie at the shortened par-3 18th when play was once again suspended. On his return, the Swede could not convert a makeable birdie put and when Hansen finished with a disappointing 72 Mongomerie was crowned as champion.

?This is not an important win ? it's a very, very important win,? said Montgomerie. ?When you go so long without a win you wonder whether it's going to happen again. You do have doubts."

"The last two holes I got fortunate. I was in the hazard at the last and couldn't ground my club and then I holed a five-footer for par, so I had to work for it."

This was Montgomerie's first victory since the UBS Hong Kong Open in December 2005. He wins ?593,580.

Smurfit Kappa European Open

-11 C Montgomerie (Sco)

-10 N Fasth (Swe)

-9 P Hanson (Swe), G Havret (Fr), A Wall (Eng), P Edberg (Swe)