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Els hammers Monty at Wentworth

11/10/2007

South African Ernie Els destroyed Colin Montgomerie 6&5 in the first round of the World Match Play at Wentworth today.

Els hit four birdies to carve out a five-shot lead at the halfway point of the 36 hole tie, and when he won three of the first four holes in the second half of the match, Montgomerie was all but out of the tournament.

"It was tough, both of us playing together in the first round," said Els, who has won the tournament six times.

"We've had so much success around this course and in this event. I think it would have been a really great match later in the tournament."

Montgomerie, who emerged from the World Match Play victorious in 1999, was brutally honest afterwards admitting he was "rubbish all day".

"I was four over par, and three-putting the first green set the tone for the day," he said.

"I spent three days practising my putting - in the rain, everything - then you come to the first green and three-putt. End of the day. That was it.

"It gives Ernie confidence and the worse I played the better he became. Very disappointing indeed."

Defending champion Paul Casey defeated Jerry Kelly 3&2 and will now play US Open champion Angel Cabrera, who beat Retief Goosen 6&5.

Englishman Justin Rose suffered a surprise 5&4 loss to American newcomer Hunter Mahan. Rose hit a double bogey, six bogeys and eight birdies in an inconsistent round.

Danish pair Soren and Anders Hansen both made it into the quarter-finals after Soren defeated Rory Sabbatini 4&3 and Anders beat Open champion Padraig Harrington 4&2.

Fog delayed the matches between Henrik Stenson and Woody Austin who are tied after 35 holes, and Niclas Fasth against Andres Romero, with Fasth two down after 32 holes. Both matches will finish tomorrow.