EUROPEAN number one "Colin Montgomerie overcame his play-off jinx to pocket the lucrative first prize in the Million Dollar Challenge in Sun City, South Africa, yesterday.

Montgomerie beat South African Ernie Els at the third extra hole after both men had tied at 14-under-par after four rounds.

The powerful Scot clinched his first win in five play-off attempts when he birdied the par-four 18th.

The shot which sealed his success was his second to the 18th which kicked in off a bank to the right of the green and finished five feet from the hole.

Montgomerie sank the putt and gained some measure of revenge for the victory Els scored over him in a three-way play-off which also included America's Lauren Roberts at the 1994 US Open.

Montgomerie's win gives him a giant end of season pay-off of $1 million - four times the amount won by runner-up Els.

The play-off crowned a thrilling, final day which saw Els shoot birdies at the final two holes for a final round of 66 while Montgomerie finished with a four-under-par 68.

Both men were just one shot ahead of Zimbabwe's Nick Price .and US Open champion, Steve Jones, as all 12 players in the event finished under par.

Welshman Ian Woosnam, the joint-overnight leader, slipped back to fifth place with a 73 while US Masters Champion Nick Faldo was in a three-way tie for ninth place after a final 73.

Price and Woosnam saw their hopes falter during the first nine holes. Woosnam dropped four shots and Price one.

After the finish Montgomerie admitted fortune favoured his braved approach to the third play-off hole.

"I was a little bit fortunate but what the hell?" said a smiling and relaxed Montgomerie after securing his first ever play-off win.

"I birdied a few holes early on which helped," he added. "I saw others like Ian Woosnam having problems and that gave me confidence.

"But I knew the main danger was Ernie Els," smiled the Scot to loud cheers from the partisan South African crowd, "I am sure you all agree with that.

"I am delighted to finally get one over Ernie, though he still leads me 2-1, today makes it a little more sweeter.

Montgomerie added his plan was to attack when necessary, but for the most part aim to avoid errors and make steady progress.

"I just concentrated on getting up and down myself and let make mistakes, that ploy gave me birdie chances and I finally got one at the 21st.

"I saw what happened to Ernie, who hit it to the left, used an eight iron myself and the shot worked for me.

Els bad set up the play-off with the round of the day a bogey-free six-under-par 66 which included birdies on the last two holes.

Montgomerie and US Open champion Jones battled it out over the final five holes, with the lead changing hands twice as Jones jumped ahead and then shot two straight bogeys to drop a shot back.

Jones chipped in from a bunker for an eagle three at the 14th while Montgomerie birdied, tying them at 14-under.

A birdie at the 15th gave Jones the lead, but he dropped shots at 16 and 17, then missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole to finish one shot aback behind Els and Montgomerie, who parred the final four holes.

In the play-off both players parred the first two holes before Montgomerie struck.