Monty has luck of the Irish
After going 19 months without a European Tour win Colin Montgomerie claimed the Smurfit Kappa European Open by one shot from Niclas Fasth.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yd7pcmZFPs8HMTwWLyfbvh-415-80.jpg)
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
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
-11 C Montgomerie (Sco)
-10 N Fasth (Swe)
-9 P Hanson (Swe), G Havret (Fr), A Wall (Eng), P Edberg (Swe)
-
How Many Birdies Scottie Scheffler Has Made In 2024
Scottie Scheffler has had an incredible year he has largely dominated throughout, but how many birdies has the World No.1 achieved?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Omega European Masters Tee Times: Round Four
Matt Wallace leads the way at the Omega European Masters as he looks for his fifth DP World Tour win
By Mike Hall Published