Montgomerie (centre) captained Europe to Ryder Cup success

Victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie believes Europe is set to become the leading force in world golf.

Europe won the Ryder Cup while Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer both won majors in 2010.

Six Europeans are also in the world top 10, with Kaymer and Lee Westwood both bidding to be number one.

"We have had a fantastic year in Europe. There is a dominance and there is a changing of the guard over to Europe," said Montgomerie.

"We have always bowed to America's dominance - but now we don't just have Lee Westwood but also Martin Kaymer coming up as well."

Westwood missed the chance to take top ranking from Tiger Woods when he finished a disappointing 11th at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, which the German Kaymer won.

The 37-year-old was struggling with a long-standing calf problem and is now set to take a break from golf until the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai on 4 November.

606: DEBATE I can see Lee getting to No1 very soon but Kaymer won't have long to wait before he takes that crown Davie

However, Englishman Westwood is still expected to be named number one when the rankings are decided on 31 October because of the way they are calculated over a two-year period.

"I think Lee will be number one even if he doesn't play," said Montgomerie.

"If Tiger does not change his schedule he will lose his number one spot, it is just the way the world rankings work."

American Woods has spent the last five years as the world number one, with compatriot Phil Mickelson number two for the majority of that period.

With Westwood, Kaymer, Woods and Mickelson all due to play in Shanghai, Montgomerie expects a thrilling battle for the number one spot to unfold.

"Knowing Tiger as I do he will go out and win the HSBC Champions event. He will not like to be number two at anything and he will come out fighting," added Montgomerie.

I really want to get back to trying to win and it will be great if I can do that Veteran Scot Colin Montgomerie

"The only thing Lee can do is come over for the HSBC Champions and win. He is playing as well as anyone in the world of golf right now and he will be as anxious to win in Shanghai as Tiger will.

"It has got very close and if Martin Kaymer wins a couple of events before then he could be number one, so it is fantastic for the event."

Meanwhile, Montgomerie made a return to the playing ranks at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, where he finished joint 41st.

And after guiding Europe to success at the Ryder Cup, the 47-year-old now hopes to taste victory on a personal level again.

"I want to win a European Tour event again," he said. "I haven't had a top 10 now for two years and it has to be said that it is because the Ryder Cup captaincy has taken up all my time and effort.

"I really want to get back to trying to win and it will be great if I can do that."

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