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Monty sees off Howell at the last

14/09/2006

Colin Montgomerie has seen off his Ryder Cup team-mate David Howell in thrilling fashion in the first round of the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth.

The Scot dominated the tie from as early as the fourth hole and never went behind in the 36 holes but Howell, Europe's leading golfer, refused to go down without a fight.

Despite twice slipping to two down in the first round, Howell rallied before the halfway stage to head into the break on level terms.

Montgomerie came out the stronger afterwards and surged to three up going into the 24th hole but once again Howell managed to level the tie going down the last.

But it was the 42-year-old Scot who held his nerve on the 36th, as he shot a birdie on the par-five last to leave Howell, who could only manage a par, slipping to an early exit.

Meanwhile, Ian Woosnam's other Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Robert Karlsson all enjoyed winning first days in what is one of the European Tour's flagship events.

England's Casey stormed to a brilliant 6&4 victory over South African ace and world number six Retief Goosen while Swedish star Karlsson saw off the current world number two Jim Furyk.

Luke Donald also held off a determined Tim Clark to win by two.

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