Montgomerie has won a record eight Order of Merit titles

Colin Montgomerie says the European Tour has overtaken the PGA Tour in America as the best place to harvest world ranking points.

Europeans now fill seven of the top 11 places in the world rankings.

And in recent weeks world number one Lee Westwood, third-ranked Martin Kaymer and number 11 Rory McIlroy have all turned down PGA Tour membership.

"This is the greatest time we've ever had so why the need to go to America?" said Montgomerie, 47.

"If you're talking world ranking points that these guys are after, the need doesn't arise to go to America in the way it was five years ago," added eight-time European Order of Merit winner Montgomerie, who captained Europe to victory against the United States in the 2010 Ryder Cup.

"There are more points available in Europe.

606: DEBATE Do you agree with Monty's comments? Mike L - BBC Sport

"World rankings are a very important part of our game, and to think, at the [European Tour's] Abu Dhabi Championship [in January 2011] nine of the top 10 in the world are going to play there."

German Kaymer, 25, became Europe's youngest number one for 21 years in November, pipping Northern Ireland's McDowell at the season-ending Dubai World Championship to top the money list.

Montgomerie, who has won 31 times in Europe, says he is pleased that Kaymer, McDowell and Westwood have all said no to playing on the American circuit.

"I think it's super that a number of them haven't take membership of the PGA Tour," he said.

Montgomerie has not won an event since 2007 and is currently ranked 398 in the world.

"The world points available in Abu Dhabi will be extreme. That's why I've entered, to get back into the top 400," he joked.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version