Montgomerie holds up his OBE

The 42-year-old Scotsman collected his medal from Prince Charles in the company of his children and ex-wife.

He said: "This was awarded on behalf of the Ryder Cup team. I was the one at the helm of it I suppose, and in a way I take it for them, the whole team."

Montgomerie won his eighth European Tour Order of Merit this year.

It was his first time back at the top of the list since winning his seventh straight title in 2000.

Montgomerie said: "I don't think in sport you can come back that often, so it's nice to do it. Let's see if we can do it again."

Montgomerie is famously yet to win a major, but he insisted yet again that the omission does not bother him.

"All I can do is keep trying, and if one day the door opens and I walk through it, great.

"Otherwise I'll leave with a very good career of Ryder Cup wins and Order of Merits.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of if I don't win a major."