FINAL LEADERBOARD GB&Ire unless stated -9 Colin Montgomerie -8 Kenneth Ferrie -7 Henrik Stenson (Swe), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Anders Hansen (Den), Padraig Harrington Full clubhouse scores

The Scot fired a one-under 71 at St Andrews to pip overnight leader Kenneth Ferrie with a nine-under total, sealing his first victory for 19 months.

In a tense finish, the pair were level with one to play, but Montgomerie dug deep to rattle in the winning birdie.

The result rockets the 42-year-old up to second in the Order of Merit and to the top of the Ryder Cup points table.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Dane Anders Hansen and Swedes Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson finished a further stroke back in joint third.

A relieved and delighted Montgomerie said: "That's the most important win of my career - and for it to happen here makes it really special.

Way to go Colin, well deserved and what a joy to see the man back to his best From CB Have your say on Five Live

"It's been a long time, and you don't know if the next win is going to come.

"I won seven Order of Merits and I would not say it was easy, but it was expected... and then it stops.

"But I was looking forward to coming back here so soon after the Open experience (when he finished second behind Tiger Woods).

"Kenneth gifted me a couple, and I gifted him a couple - and he was unlucky at the last. His drive kicked right ... if it hadn't he would have made three."

Ferrie admitted his disappointment over a "pretty poor" display.

He said: "They were tough conditions, but if you play well it's not that tough. I struggled to keep it in play and I got punished.

"I do feel I let him win. It's my own fault - I have got nobody to blame but myself."