Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer decided to share the Volvo Masters title in Spain tonight with light rapidly fading after two shared holes in their sudden death play-off. The Ryder Cup partners had tied on the three under par total of 281, then played two holes of sudden death. But standing on the next tee and with the light rapidly disappearing it was obvious that they could not continue.
European tour bosses Ken Schofield and George O'Grady hastily met with the sponsors to discuss the situation and the players were given the chance to agree a tie, which they duly did.
After what many will see as an unsatisfactory end to the final event of the domestic season, one which confirmed Retief Goosen as leading money-winner for the second year running, Montgomerie, still to win a play-off in eight attempts in Europe, said, "I think it's very fitting that this tournament be tied and we were the ones to tie it."
"It would have been unfair for one of us to win it, not that I meant to pull my 10-foot putt on the 10th."
He was referring to the second play-off hole on the same green which had earlier produced the other main talking-point of the day. Montgomerie had missed a five-foot par putt there earlier, but then there was a debate about whether he had touched a moving ball before holing out.
He was told about the matter two holes later by chief referee John Paramor and at the end of the round - after he had missed an eight-footer to win on the final green - he was confronted by tournament director David Garland. Montgomerie was furious that before the play-off could start he had to be taken to the television compound. He was cleared of any infringement, but he needed time to cool down.
At the first extra hole he could have won again by chipping in, but just missed and after his next miss it was agree that they each take home £277,775. Outright victory would have been worth £333,330.
Overnight leader Bradley Dredge finished in third place on one under, while Darren Clarke was best placed of the Irish with four over total to finish in ninth position. Padraig Harrington finished a disappointing thirteen over and lost out on the Order of Merit title to Retief Goosen who finished twelve over. Graeme McDowell finished eighteen over and Paul McGinley finished back in 60th position on twenty one over.
Filed by Johnny Proby
