MONTY SET FOR LANDMARK APPEARANCE

Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie's return to action in Seville next week will mark his 500th European Tour appearance as a professional.

That is still more than 200 fewer than the Tour record held by his fellow Scot Sam Torrance, but Montgomerie is proud to be joining an elite band of 18 players to have reached the landmark.

"I am very lucky that my career is also my passion," said the eight-time Order of Merit winner.

"I still enjoy the thrill of competing just as much as I did when I started out on the European Tour 20 years ago."

Actually it is 23 years since he first appeared as an amateur at the Scottish Open at Gleneagles, finishing joint 29th.

"Over the years and the 499 events I have been delighted and proud to be part of the Tour and to see it develop into the thriving worldwide tour it stands as today."

Since his debut the 45-year-old has rewritten the history books several times, having amassed total earnings of almost Ј20million, recorded 182 top-10 finishes, set 13 course records and won more times - 31 - than any other British player.

He might also have taken over from Nick Faldo as the highest points-scorer in Ryder Cup history if Faldo had picked him for last September's match, but his unbeaten singles record in eight matches is among his greatest achievements.

Tour statistician Steve Doughty has calculated that Montgomerie is a cumulative 1,597 under par for his 499 events and has earned Ј182 for each of his 121,525 shots.

Next week's event is the Andalucian Open at the Jose Maria Olazabal-designed Real Club in Seville. Thomas Levet is the defending champion, but the course is the one on which Ireland's Peter Lawrie won the Spanish Open last year.


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WOODS ENDS ON LOSING SIDE

Tiger Woods scored one and a half points for his Isleworth club but could not stop Lake Nona claiming the Tavistock Cup in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday.

The world number one, looking to continue his comeback from reconstructive knee surgery last summer, followed up his tie for ninth place on Sunday in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral with a three-under-par round of 69 at the Lake Nona club in a three-million dollar charity match between two clubs with memberships numbering a host of the world's best touring professionals.

Playing fourball singles medal match play, Woods halved his match with England's Ian Poulter but defeated Henrik Stenson, who could only shoot a four-over 76 for the Lake Nona team.

Woods' playing partner Charles Howell III also shot three under to halve with Poulter and defeat Stenson but Lake Nona emerged victorious for only the second time in the six-year history of the event.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell led the Lake Nona team captained by Ernie Els to overturn an overnight 6-4 lead held by Mark O'Meara's Isleworth side.

McDowell, hit a six under par 66 to claim the Payne Stewart Award as the low scorer and his round earned him two points with victories over Australians Nick O'Hern (one under) and Stuart Appleby (three under).

McDowell's partner Retief Goosen hit a two-under 70 to defeat O'Hern but lose to Appleby.

"I played pretty nicely today," McDowell said. "It's an interesting format and I think it's important we won this year or else they would have tried to find someone else to play against."

Ben Curtis and Justin Rose also contributed four-under-par scores to score two victories apiece, the American over compatriots O'Meara and John Cook and Englishman Rose over JB Holmes of the USA and Robert Allenby of Australia.

McDowell's compatriot Darren Clarke was the low Isleworth scorer, his four under defeating Els and Mark McNulty.


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PORTO SANTO MAKES EURO TOUR BOW

A new name will be added to the long list of European Tour venues on Thursday - Porto Santo.

For the first time the Madeira Islands Open BPI-Portugal is not being staged on Madeira, but on its neighbouring island at a new Seve Ballesteros-designed course.

In its own tourist literature Porto Santo is described as "one long beach with a bit of an island attached". It has a permanent population of only around 5,000 and is less than eight miles long and four miles across at its widest point.

The island, nibbled bare by rabbits centuries ago, has been undergoing a massive re-forestation programme, local residents even being offered free plants for their gardens at municipal nurseries.

Its volcanic sands - it is no longer active, the players will be relieved to know - have long been held to have curative powers and it was once home to Christopher Columbus.

The course, opened in 2004, features two distinct zones. Part is dotted with lakes and the other section played along spectacular clifftops.

Tournament director David Williams said: "A number of holes are the most dramatic you will find anywhere in the world.

"The players will relish the challenge of the 200-yard 13th and 393-yard 14th, back-to-back holes where you are playing across the clifftops with the sea 500 feet below."

Past champions taking part include Welshman Bradley Dredge, Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin and Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, who after the heartbreak of the 1999 Open at Carnoustie ended 13 years without a victory when he triumphed in 2006.


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TIME TO CELEBRATE FOR BRADLEY

World number 816 Michael Bradley reignited his career with victory in the US Tour's Puerto Rico Open on Sunday.

But at 42 the American is unsure how much he wants to capitalise on his first win for 11 years.

"I don't know when I'll play again, I really don't. I just want to go home and celebrate it with my wife and kids," said Bradley after a two-putt birdie on the long 18th gave him the US$630,000 title by one from his compatriot Brett Quigley and 21-year-old Australian Jason Day.

Last December, Bradley failed to come through the Tour qualifying school. This was his first tournament of 2009.

"I really didn't know what to expect - I didn't know how I would react being in the final group. It's been so long since I've been there," he added.

"I guess that's the perk of getting a little older - you have more experience. I have been there and won and you just try to pull on all the past experiences that you've had.

"But pressure is pressure. It doesn't matter. It comes in all shapes and sizes.

"I'm almost 43 and you don't know really how many opportunities you're going to have. I'm not Tiger Woods, so when I do have an opportunity to win it's probably a little more special."

Former world junior champion Day, whose chance went when he failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the last, said: "I'm disappointed that I couldn't finish it off, but I'm very happy with myself that I actually put myself into contention and I held my head up and I nearly won the tournament.

"I know there are going to be plenty more wins coming my way as long as I work hard and keep moving forward.

"I've been in this position on the Nationwide Tour, but it's totally different on the PGA Tour."

Quigley looked as if he might achieve his first win in 341 starts when, from four back, he birdied five of the last 10 holes for a 67.

The last of them put him alongside Bradley and Day, but they still had the 18th to come and Bradley was the one to seize the chance.


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MONTY REVEALS OLAZABAL AGREEMENT

Jose Maria Olazabal has agreed to be assistant to captain Colin Montgomerie at next year's Ryder Cup in Wales, but only if he does not qualify for the side.

"The number one guy that I've always wanted since we first met, believe it or not, back in 1984 is Jose Maria Olazabal," said Montgomerie on Monday, recalling that it was the Spaniard who beat him in the final of the British Amateur 25 years ago.

"I'd like him to be part of the team. He has come to me - and I appreciate that - and said he wants to try to be playing.

"But if not he has accepted and I have taken it on board that he will be part of the back team."

Olazabal was vice-captain to Nick Faldo in last September's defeat in Louisville, but while he thought about whether to put his name forward for Celtic Manor, Montgomerie agreed to stand and was subsequently appointed by the European Tour's players' committee.

The twice Masters champion is expected now to do the job in Chicago in 2012.

"Apparently he was exceptional with Nick - I wasn't there - so he would be my number one choice and I have been thinking about others," Montgomerie added in an interview with Sky Sports News.

"I need a good team around to me to help. This is a campaign to regain the Ryder Cup and it starts now."

The next committee meeting is on the eve of the Irish Open in May and it is there that the number of European wild cards will be decided, with Montgomerie pushing for more.

In recent matches they have had only two, while American captain Paul Azinger was allowed four last year.

"I think options in life is always a good thing in life," said the 45-year-old Scotsman. "When you don't have them you struggle.

"The 10 and two situation for the European team was working because we were winning. Now we have lost do we change the system, do we go 9-3, 8-4 like the Americans?

"It will be discussed at length and set in stone. I have my own views - options are good and I would like a little more than I have now."


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MICKELSON HOLDS NERVE TO TRIUMPH

Phil Mickelson landed his second title of the year when he held off the challenge of Nick Watney at the WGC-CA Championship.

Mickelson, who had been treated overnight for heat exhaustion and dehydration, showed no ill effects from his visit to a hospital emergency room as he outfought fellow American Watney over the back nine at Doral having emerged from a see-saw battle with the world number 78 in the first half of the final round.

World number three Mickelson parred the final seven holes to collect the $1.4 million (Ј978,747) winner's cheque with a last-day 69 to finish at 19 under par, one shot better than his overnight co-leader Watney.

It was his first World Golf Championships victory and his 36th on the PGA Tour, adding to his Northern Trust Open win at Riviera Country Club last month.

Mickelson revealed he had been suffering from a virus for the past three days and was concerned about his health throughout his final round as he tried to stay hydrated by sipping frequently from bottles of Gatorade.

"I fought hard all day and wasn't really able to pay attention to some of the great shots that Nick hit because I was so worried about keeping my energy level high and steady throughout the round," Mickelson said.

"I haven't eaten much in three days and I fought hard. I knew I was playing some of my best golf coming in here and I was playing well so I'm very excited to have finished it off."

Jim Furyk was a strong-finishing third at 16 under par following a closing 67, with India's Jeev Milkha Singh fourth on 14 under.

England's Oliver Wilson scored his best finish on the US PGA Tour when he shot a 66 to finish in a tie for fifth place alongside Colombia's Camilo Villegas, with Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen and Thomas Aiken of South Africa tied for seventh on 12th under.

World number one Tiger Woods produced his second 68 of the weekend to finish tied for ninth with Rod Pampling of Australia and fellow American Kenny Perry at 11 under, to maintain his record of always finishing in the top 10, both in WGC stroke play events and at Doral.

The lead had changed hands three times between Mickelson and Watney over the front nine with Watney holing in a chip at the ninth from 80 feet and from beneath the hole at the back of the green, and between a spectator stand and a television tower.

Both men birdied the 10th to go to 20 under but Watney dropped a shot at the 11th and they both bogeyed the 12th.

Furyk moved to 16 under with birdies at the 15th and 16th holes but Mickelson kept his nerve to par all his remaining holes and stay one shot ahead of his rival.

Watney had one final chance to put pressure on Mickelson on the last green with a birdie putt from 29 feet on the fringe but his ball stopped just a couple of feet short, and Mickelson putted from inside three feet for victory.

"I thought it was on a really good line," Watney said of his putt on 18. "I can't believe I left it short.

"Unfortunately I just didn't hit it hard enough.

"I'm pleased with the way I played. Right now it still hurts to finish second - disappointing to come up one shot short. But overall it was a positive week, and I've just got to keep working hard."

Wilson was delighted with his week and a final-round, six-birdie, no-bogey 66 on the par-72 Blue Monster course.

"It feels pretty good to be honest," Wilson said afterwards.

"Yesterday was probably one of the best rounds I've played for a while, shooting level, I really hung in and ground it out and it gave me a chance to do what I did today so it worked out pretty good."

Ian Poulter wrapped things up for a final-round 69 to finish on 10 under in a seven-way tie for 13th that included Soren Hansen of Denmark and Spain's Alvaro Quiros

Rory McIlroy's tournament ended in disappointing fashion with a bogey at the last for a final-round 73 but the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland still managed a second consecutive top-20 finish in the US having finished tied for 13th at the Honda Classic.

McIlroy finished in a tie for 20th at nine under par, the same mark achieved by, among others, Luke Donald (72), Ernie Els (70), Padraig Harrington (71) and Justin Rose (68).

Richard Finch had started his round with a four birdies in a row but ended his week with a double-bogey six at the last to card a 71 and finish at four under, one better than fellow Englishman Ross Fisher.

Collated final round scores & totals in the WGC-CA Championship, Doral Resort & CC, Miami, Florida, United States of America

(USA unless stated, par 72):

269 Phil Mickelson 65 66 69 69

270 Nick Watney 66 67 67 70

272 Jim Furyk 68 68 69 67

274 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 65 71 68 70

275 Oliver Wilson (Eng) 67 70 72 66, Camilo Villegas (Col) 67 68 69 71

276 Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 74 66 71 65, Soren Kjeldsen (Swe) 70 66 69 71

277 Kenny Perry 70 64 71 72, Justin Leonard 69 69 68 71, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 66 69 71 71, Tiger Woods 71 70 68 68

278 Steve Stricker 69 70 70 69, Charley Hoffman 68 70 67 73, Sean O'Hair 67 70 74 67, Soren Hansen (Den) 74 69 64 71, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 65 70 72 71, Ian Poulter (Eng) 69 67 73 69, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 72 64 69 73

279 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 68 66 72 73, James Kingston (Rsa) 66 74 67 72, Justin Rose (Eng) 73 70 68 68, Ernie Els (Rsa) 70 71 68 70, Luke Donald (Eng) 69 70 68 72, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 67 69 73 70, Padraig Harrington (Irl) 66 71 71 71

280 Tim Clark (Rsa) 71 71 69 69

281 Robert Allenby (Aus) 69 71 72 69, Davis Love III 70 71 70 70, Ben Curtis 71 69 71 70

282 Paul Casey (Eng) 71 66 72 73, Robert Karlsson (Swe) 71 70 72 69, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 72 72 68 70, Briny Baird 70 68 71 73

283 Dustin Johnson 70 66 71 76, Pat Perez 70 68 72 73, Mike Weir (Can) 71 69 70 73, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 73 68 70 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 74 69 69 71

284 Peter Hanson (Swe) 70 74 72 68, Richard Finch (Eng) 72 72 69 71, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 70 71 69 74, Ken Duke 71 75 67 71, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 73 69 70 72, Stephen Ames (Can) 72 70 71 71

285 Ross Fisher (Eng) 71 69 72 73, Garth Mulroy (Rsa) 70 70 72 73, Andres Romero (Arg) 67 71 77 70, Mark Brown 73 71 68 73, Darren Clarke (NIrl) 74 71 71 69, Shingo Katayama (Jpn) 70 70 72 73, D.J. Trahan 77 71 66 71

286 Hunter Mahan 71 74 68 73, Chad Campbell 72 70 70 74, Vijay Singh (Fij) 69 72 71 74, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 69 74 74 69, Zach Johnson 70 72 72 72

287 Anthony Kim 71 69 72 75

288 K J Choi (Kor) 73 73 72 70, Stewart Cink 73 73 69 73

289 Dudley Hart 71 75 73 70, Boo Weekley 69 75 75 70, Kevin Sutherland 74 76 68 71, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71 69 78, Lee Westwood (Eng) 71 71 78 69

290 Retief Goosen (Rsa) 65 76 73 76, Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 73 74 70 73, Adam Scott (Aus) 71 76 72 71, Wen-Tang Lin (Tai) 75 70 70 75

291 John Rollins 76 71 71 73, Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 74 76 72 69

292 Bubba Watson 72 71 74 75

293 Richard Sterne (Rsa) 70 76 72 75

294 Yong-eun Yang (Kor) 73 70 73 78

295 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 72 76 78

297 Azuma Yano (Jpn) 77 71 76 73

298 Billy Mayfair 75 72 75 76, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 69 73 73 83

299 Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 76 71 75 77


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ALL CYST-EMS GO FOR POULTER

Ian Poulter earned a top-20 finish at the WGC-CA Championship at Doral before revealing he had a cyst removed from his right wrist earlier in the week.

The Englishman was in the clubhouse on 10 under par for the tournament following a closing-round, three-under 69 before it emerged he had undergone the medical procedure last Monday.

"I had a cyst on my right wrist which I had syringed last Monday which had been bothering me," Poulter said.

"I went in for a scan because it was sore and it showed a cyst which has been there for a long time.

"It is good news in a way because they syringed it and it took the pain away. That is what the problem has been on my wrist for the last little while but it has never really showed up before so now it got big enough that it showed on an MRI and I was able to get it syringed."

Asked if the problem had been resolved permanently, Poulter said: "Well there is a chance that it will come back as it can do with any cyst but the good thing is that it is pain free now which is happy days and I feel great with it.

"If it was to come back I'd just get it syringed again. It literally was sore for a day after the syringing but after that it was fine and if we need to do it again, we will. We could go the surgery route but there is no need to. It was a lump which got taken away pretty quickly."

Poulter said he had mixed emotions about his performance on the golf course this week.

"Well, I made three birdies today on the par fives, one was a tap-in and the others were five footers. Yesterday I made 17 pars and one bogey.

"It was a frustrating weekend when my game was so good and I've played awesome this weekend. But the upside is my game is great, I am playing good golf."


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