Montgomerie hopes a change of caddie will change his fortunes

The 40-year-old Scot ditched Rawlinson, who only started working with the seven-time European number one at the Wales Open in June, at the end of the Lancome Trophy on Sunday.

Montgomerie finished well down the field in Paris, 16 strokes behind winner Retief Goosen.

"Colin will use Cotter, who caddies at Royal Troon Golf Club, for the next few weeks while he is reviewing the long-term," confirmed Montgomerie's management company.

His last success was in the Volvo Masters last November when he shared the title with Bernhard Langer after their play-off had been halted by bad light.

However, Montgomerie's last outright success in Europe was the Scandinavian Masters 25 months ago.

Having ended a 10-year partnership with Alastair Maclean in May last year, the Ryder Cup star signed up Andy Prodger, but then decided to ask Rawlinson if he was available.

Rawlinson was caddying for Stephen Leaney at the time and the Australian was not happy at the way the deal was sealed.

"Monty actually called while Steve was telling me, but obviously they had already arranged it before," said Leaney.

Montgomerie is preparing for this week's German Masters in Cologne.