Monty wins a fist full of dollars

For the first time, Colin Montgomerie can board a plane to Britain having achieved victory on American soil.

Montgomerie made a twofoot par putt worth $340,000 on the third play-off hole to outlast defending champion Fred Couples and win the Skins Game at Landmark Golf Club, California.

Fiji's Vijay Singh and Spain's Sergio Garcia were eliminated on the first extra hole, the parfour 14th, after missing their birdie attempts while Montgomerie and Couples made theirs.

Montgomerie and Couples both parred the 183-yard 15th, the second play-off hole, and went to the 563-yard 18th. Couples was in trouble from the start on the hole. He drove into the bunker, hit his second shot off a golf cart into a bush and saw his third shot reach the water.

The Scotsman also had problems with his drive as it went into the left rough. After reaching the green on his third shot, his 20-foot birdie attempt landed two feet from the cup and he tapped in for the victory.

"As Fred said when we started this event, there's a lot of luck involved," said Montgomerie, who also picked up a 2001 Toyota Camry for the victory. "I don't know what happened on the last hole, and I don't think he wants to know. I was left on my own and I ended up being very fortunate."

The $340,000 won by Montgomerie on 18 was the second-largest total on one hole in Skins Game history. Competing in his first Skins Game, Montgomerie became the sixth player to win in his initial appearance. He finished with six skins and $415,000, a Skins Game earnings record for a newcomer.

Montgomerie arrived for this made-for-television event with a reputation as one of the world's best golfers who never has won a major.

One of the premier golfers on the European Tour, Montgomerie has won 24 titles and captured a record seven straight Order of Merit titles for yearly earnings from 1993-99.

He has played a limited number of events in the US each year, which may be a reason why he has not carried over the success he has had overseas.

"I play the two events before the two majors that I feel gives me the best chance to win a major," he said. "If I play those two events before the US Open and before the PGA Championship, I feel that gives me the best chance to win one of the majors. There is nothing else I would add into my schedule other than that."

Singh collected four skins and $260,000 in his first Skins Game. Garcia, who led after Saturday's front nine with four skins and $150,000, ended up with five and $200,000. Couples, who earned a record $635,000 last year that included a record $410,000-birdie putt, had three skins and $125,000.

The four halved the 16th and 17th holes worth $70,000 each and went to a play-off after halving the $200,000 18th hole.

The low score on each hole won the skin. The value of holes one-six was $25,000 apiece, holes seven to 12 were worth $50,000 each and holes 13 to 17 were worth $70,000 apiece. The 18th hole was worth £200,000.