Montgomerie pipped by Nobilo

Golf

Colin Montgomerie shot a superb six-under-par last round of 66 but was beaten by one stroke by the New Zealander Frank Nobilo in the Deutsche Bank Open in Hamburg yesterday.

Nobilo, who went round in the week's best round of 64, had already finished on 270 - 18 under par - when Montgomerie came to the 449-yard 18th hole needing an eagle two to tie.

"I hit a great drive and had 172 yards to the pin," Montgomerie said. "So I launched an eight iron at the flag and it was right on line but it stopped very quickly, 12 feet short. I knocked in the putt but it was just one too many. It's disappointing to shoot a 66 in the last round and still lose but you've got to hand it to Frank for his 64.

Nobilo, who won pounds 120,830 for his victory, joked: "Monty's a mate of mine but he has already won enough money this year. It must be my turn."

The last round quickly developed into a duel between the New Zealander and the Scotsman. Nobilo, after four birdies and an eagle three at the third in his first eight holes, went two shots up on the Scot, who was playing two holes behind.

But Montgomerie, with three birdies in his first four holes, also birdied the seventh and 10th and when Nobilo bogeyed the 12th and 14th, although snatching a birdie at the 13th, the Scot took a one-stroke lead.

He was still one up at the 14th tee but the turning point came when Nobilo birdied at the 15th as Montgomerie dropped a shot at the 14th, and this put Nobilo back in front by one shot.

Then Nobilo also birdied the 16th and 17th and, despite Montgomerie's birdies at the 15th and 18th, hung on to secure his fifth European Tour victory.

Seve Ballesteros, who had begun the last round two shots off the lead, called on European PGA Tour officials to take action to stop photographers disturbing players during tournaments. The Spaniard was distracted at the third hole when he carved his drive out of bounds as a cameraman took his picture at the top of his back swing.

Scores, Sporting Digest, page 11