Monday's news came 24 hours after the Scot fought back from two shots down to win his first Asian Tour title with a two-shot victory over Thongchai Jaidee in Dongguan, China.

It was his second title in a row, having shared the Volvo Masters title with Bernhard Langer last week.

Montgomerie said: "It shows to my peers that I'm still there, that I've not gone away and I'm still competitive at the highest level.

"To get to China is not the easiest route and all credit to my caddie and I to last out."

Montgomerie started the final round two behind Thongchai but claimed the victory by firing a bogey-free five-under-par 67.

His Thai opponent, the current Asian PGA Tour number one, was under pressure from Montgomerie's well-oiled game from the outset and shot a 71.

The 39-year-old Montgomerie finished the tournament on 16-under-par 272, while Thongchai failed to shoot sub-70 for the first time over the weekend on his way to a final tally of 274.

Montgomerie did not drop a shot over his last 41 holes but needed to be in strong form to hold off the challenge of Thongchai.

"I was confident but I underestimated Thongchai," admitted Montgomerie.

"I was very impressed with him. He is one of the best players I've played with in Asia, definitely.

"So I had to be right on my game to compete with him."

Tiger Woods remains world No.1, ahead of fellow American Phil Mickelson and South African pair Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, with Sergio Garcia in fifth.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington is the top player from the British Isles, being eighth.

Men's world golf rankings:

1 Tiger Woods 17.88pts
2 Phil Mickelson 8.55
3 Ernie Els 7.22
4 Retief Goosen 6.63
5 Sergio Garcia 6.48
6 David Toms 6.25
7 Vijay Singh 6.21
8 Padraig Harrington 5.75
9 Davis Love 5.14
10 Colin Montgomerie 4.71.

Other leading Europeans:
15 Bernhard Langer
25 Darren Clarke
31 Thomas Bjorn
34 Jose Maria Olazabal
35 Niclas Fasth
42 Justin Rose