Monty thrilled after win

Colin Montgomerie admitted he was relieved after winning the European Open at the K Club near Dublin.

The 44-year-old Scot ended the second-longest barren spell of his career - his last success, the Ryder Cup apart, was the Hong Kong Open in December 2005 - with a one-stroke victory over Swede Niclas Fasth, and relief was written all over his face afterwards.

"It's fantastic - and it's been a long time coming," said the eight-time European number one. "Of course you have some self-doubt about whether you're going to win again. I hope this is not the last one, but if it is I will savour it for the rest of my life."

He added: "It means an awful lot less than a month after the US Open (he crashed out with a second-round 82 there) to prove some critics wrong and show that I am still capable of winning.

"I have proved it again - I have proved it to myself and hopefully I can do it again. I am back in contention and I look forward to doing that again this week and the week after - whatever that tournament is!"

It is, of course, the Open at Carnoustie and, whatever happens in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond starting on Thursday Montgomerie is bound to be in the spotlight once more as he makes yet another attempt to break his major duck.

"This is a new era for me. I have moved up from 33rd to sixth on the Order of Merit in two weeks and my world ranking has gone up from 48th into the 30s.

"This saves me going through that horrible 50 barrier and that means getting into majors and world events, so it is huge for me.

"I am a competitor and the one thing I have missed is the competition. When I am in contention I don't tend to fear it.

"Some players do but that is why I was fearing Niclas Fasth because he doesn't fear it either."