Hong Kong-bound Colin Montgomerie has been named as winner of the European Tour’s Shot of the Month Award for September.
The Scot, who will headline a strong European challenge at the UBS Hong Kong Open on December 1-4, won the award for his brilliant second shot to the 17th – the famous Road Hole – on the Old Course at St Andrews on his way to winning the Dunhill Links Championship.
Tied for the lead with England’s Kenneth Ferrie in the final round at St Andrews, Montgomerie conjured up a wonderful eight iron approach shot on the notoriously difficult hole. With Ferrie already on the putting surface, the Ryder Cup star shaped his shot to use the wind and the contours to find the middle of the green. He then birdied the last to win the title.
“That one shot won the title for me,” said Montgomerie. “Admittedly the wind was helping but with Kenny on the green and that bunker and the road facing me, it wasn’t a simple shot by any means. The ball came out perfectly and it was a huge relief to see it on the green, believe me!”
Spectators at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling will be hoping for similar fireworks when Montgomerie and defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain take centre stage at the UBS Hong Kong Open. The duo are the first players confirmed for the event, with more stars to be unveiled in the near future.
Montgomerie’s St Andrews effort earns him the Shot of the Month trophy and a cheque for £1,000 to donate to a charity of his choice.