Colin Montgomerie Backs European Golfers

Colin Montgomerie believes that the golfing power now lies in Europe.

The Scot led Europe to a down to the wire victory over the USA in the Ryder Cup earlier this month, the match going down to the final singles match on the seventeenth hole.

But Montgomerie is also impressed with the European's dominance on the tour as six European players are inside the world's top ten, Westwood currently the highest at number two.

Speaking to Sky Sports Montgomerie said: "I think Lee will be number one even if he doesn't play," he said of Westwood, who is once again struggling with a calf injury.

Westwood found himself in a race against time to be fit for the Ryder Cup after struggling with a calf strain for much of the summer.

"If Tiger (Woods) does not change his schedule he will lose his number one spot, it is just the way the world rankings work.

"We have had a fantastic year in Europe. Three European Tour members have won major championships and we won the Ryder Cup. There is a dominance and there is a changing of the guard over to Europe."

And Martin Kaymer backed up Montgomerie's claims as he won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship over the weekend.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw