Bernie McGuire

in Hong Kong

SCOTLAND'S Colin Montgomerie could not believe his good fortune when South African James Kingston double bogeyed the final hole to hand the European number one a surprise UBS Hong Kong Open victory.

Monty captured the 39th win of his career but only after Kingston crashed from leading by one shot with a one to play into an eventual five-way share of second place.

Wexford's Damien McGrane secured his fifth career top-10 by ending in a three-way share of seventh spot on seven under par.

Monty, who was competing in the penultimate group ahead of Kingston, missed a birdie putt at the last in a round of 70 for a nine under par tally.

But little did the eight-times European number one expect to be handed the gleaming trophy until Kingston pushed his iron tee-shot into trees.

Kingston then chipped out but watched in agony as his third pulled up well short of the green. He played a poor chip shot to 15 feet but he then missed a bogey putt that would have sent the event to a play-off.

"First and foremost I must say everyone's heart goes out to James Kingston for what happened to him there at the last," said Monty. "That should have been a play-off at worst to be honest and then we would have had more drama coming down that last hole. He should be making the winner's speech and not me. He played better golf than me for 71 holes this week." A crestfallen Kingston, who burst into tears on the green at the 18th, could only rue another missed opportunity, which he put down to nerves.

"I just messed up again for the second straight year," said the 40-year-old, who was tied with eventual winner Miguel Angel Jimenez with one hole to play 12 months ago, but hooked his tee shot into the trees to bogey.

McGrane commenced the final round on eight-under par just three shots off the lead. But he stumbled with two bogeys and five pars over his opening seven holes before a first birdie of the round on the eighth hole.

Settled

The Irishman gave two shots back with back-to-back bogeys at nine and ten before he settled down to birdie the 12th and 13th holes. He then bogeyed the 15th before a 16th hole birdie and two closing pars for his 71.

Gary Murphy is headed to Thursday's Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in a good fettle despite a two over par final round 72 for a level par total.

In contrast, Peter Lawrie is on his way home after three weeks in the Far East that began brightly with his first ever event in Japan but ended on a low note in Hong Kong with a disappointing last day 74 for a six over par tally.