World and Olympic champion Maurice Greene recorded the fastest 100 metres in the world this year at Friday's Golden League meeting in Rome.

The American put a poor start to the season behind him with an electric start as he powered his way to a time of 9.89 seconds.

World silver medallist Tim Montgomery finally rediscovered his form with second place in 9.94sec and another American, Bernard Williams, was third in 10sec flat.

However, there was disappointment for Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards, who was beaten by American Walter Davis with a leap of 17.33m.

Edwards finished second and now cannot win a share of the 50kg of gold bars on offer to any athlete who wins all seven Golden League meetings this summer.

"I had a couple of jumps there which were two thirds of the way to being very good and then I just collapsed.

"That's because in my mind and in my body I was just a small percentage off."

Kelly Holmes was also beaten but put up a spirited performance in the 1,500m before being overhauled down the final straight.

Ebullient form

She finished third behind winner Maria Mutola and Aleysia Turova.

Greene was in ebullient form after his explosive display.

"I really expressed myself at the start. I feel that if I have a good start then I can move into the race," said Greene said.

"That's what happened tonight. I got a great start and was able to accelerate well."

Greene, who has been suffering from a head cold, said he was pleased with the warmer weather in Rome after having to battle through rain in Paris last week.

"I was happy to see the sunshine and the hot weather today. All the cold weather has got me a little sick. I came out here and performed well, so I'm happy.

"I have said that as the season goes on I will get better and better."

Olympic champion Marion Jones won her third successive Golden League 100m with a time of 10.89 seconds.