Colin Montgomerie made the perfect start to his "new career" with a one-shot victory in the Australian Masters in Huntingdale yesterday. The Scot closed with a three-under-par 69 to finish on a total of 278 - a shot clear of Australian Nathan Green. It was the 37-yearold's first victory in Australia since the World Cup in 1988 - and he believed it was the ideal start to a new chapter in his life on tour.
"I feel as if I'm starting out on some new career here, and it's great to start off the year with a win," he said. "I feel as though the batteries are recharged and I feel as if I can perform." His achievement was made sweeter as Montgomerie was forced to come from five shots off the pace to secure his first title since last May's Volvo PGA Championship.
Australian Brett Rumford had begun the final day in front but faded to a four-over-par 76 and a share of third place.
Montgomerie's final-round move had begun steadily with only a single birdie separating eight pars on the front nine.
But the seven-time European number one's quest for the £66,000 first prize stepped up with a superb eagle three at the 10th, quickly followed by a birdie on the 11th. And despite a bogey on the 14th, the Scot calmly parred his way in as others wilted in the hot northerly winds.
There was some consolation for runner-up Green however, who received a £150,000 for holing his five-iron tee-shot at the 12th.
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