Monty the beneficiary

Hong Kong Open: Colin Montgomerie was happy to avoid a play-off on his way to capturing the UBS Hong Kong Open yesterday, but he commiserated with luckless runner-up James Kingston.

Montgomerie benefited from a dramatic late collapse by the South African, who had been leading the event for much of the final round, to win by one stroke on nine under par.

The Scot, who had carded a final round of par 70, looked on as Kingston suffered a double-bogey on the 18th, slicing his tee-shot into the trees and then missing a 10-foot putt, which would have forced a play-off.

"My play-off record is terrible, so I was rather glad we didn't have one," smiled the European number one.

"I think I've won one out of nine in my career, against Ernie Els at Sun City. I've lost my other eight, so I wasn't hoping for a play-off. James was very much favourite in the play-off, I can assure you."

Kingston led by two shots after birdies at the third and 15th, but gave the chasing pack hope by three-putting the 16th.

Montgomerie looked to have blown his chance by missing birdie putts on 17 and 18, but, in a painful rerun of last year's event, Kingston again collapsed on the final hole to hand Montgomerie the title.

"Everyone's heart goes out to James," the 42-year-old Scot added. "That should have been a play-off at worst, to be honest, and then we would have had more drama coming down that last hole."

A crestfallen Kingston, who burst into tears on the green at the 18th, could only rue another missed opportunity, which he put down to nerves.

"I just messed up again for the second straight year," said the 40-year-old, who was tied with eventual winner Miguel Angel Jimenez with one hole to play 12 months ago, but hooked his tee-shot into the trees to bogey.

"It's obviously disappointing with the way I finished but that's golf. Obviously I was aware of the situation. I was just so nervous. Last year I pulled it left, and this year I wasn't going to do the same thing. I hit it right and just made double from there."

Kingston ended up in joint-second place alongside Korea's KJ Choi, Taiwan's Keng-chi Lin, Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot and American Edward Loar.

Damien McGrane had an excellent weekend, shooting a seven-under-par 63 on Saturday and closing with a 71 to finish in a tie for seventh on seven under par. That was was worth €26,400.

Gary Murphy finished tied 30th on level par to earn €8,100, while Peter Lawrie finished on six over par for €3,000.

Overnight leader Scotland's Simon Yates, double bogeyed the par-four first to set the tone for a five-over round which included just one birdie and a triple bogey on the 14th.

Montgomerie suggested the tough playing conditions, allied to a gruelling schedule, prevented anyone from playing outstanding golf, including himself.

"This was the third tournament of the 2006 European Tour season but it's the end of the calendar year. We're all quite tired, physically and mentally, and I think that shows in the scoring today.

"No one made that big move that was anticipated to win this event. There must be 20 guys who are going home tonight thinking 'I should have won that tournament'."