A final round 70 for a five under par total of 283 left Europe's perennial number one well adrift of the leaders at St Andrew's.

It was his 37th attempt at claiming one of the four titles he so desperately covets and it was an all too familiar story for Montgomerie as his putting again let him down.

Time after time throughout all four rounds the Scot set himself up for birdie opportunities and time after time he failed to take advantage.

"When I three-putted the second on day one my confidence on the greens went," he said.

"The leaders are all confident and that's what you need to succeed.

"I will go away and do some hard work on my putting."

That may see him decline the chance to defend his Scandinavian Masters title in two weeks, instead preferring to practice before returning to action for the British Masters at Woburn.

Try again

After that it will be time to try again for that Major, this time at the USPGA at Valhalla in Louisville next month.

"It's very frustrating," said Montgomerie. "I have got to go and work on it I suppose, harder than ever before.

"I have got two options. I can sit back and think well okay I'm quite good and I'll continue what I'm doing or try and improve and that's what I'm ttrying to do and will do.

"I'll go away and practice and come back a better putter. Whether I take a few weeks off or do whatever I have to do, I am going to practice it and I am determined to get it right.

Disappointing

"I know I can compete at this level and those that know me well enough know that I am not one who plays for the sake of it.

"I play to try and win and I'm not competing right now so I'll go away and try to get my game in order."

Despite disappointing at this season's Majors, Montgomerie still believes that the USPGA might yet be the one.

"I have been disappointed in my performances in the Majors this season, but I have still got a chance at Valhalla."