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.

STRAFFAN, IRELAND - JULY 08: Colin Montgomerie of Scotland poses with the trophy after winning the Smurfit Kappa European Open on July 8, 2007 on the Smurfit Course at the K Club in Straffan, Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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)

Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.