Darren Clarke triumphed in the battle of the heavyweights, capturing the Volvo Masters, as Colin Montgomerie wrapped up a sixth successive Volvo Ranking title in a pulsating climax to a marvellous 1998 season on the European Tour.
Clarke conjured up a magnificent record-equalling 63 to win an epic, sun-drenched Volvo Masters at the Montecastillo Hotel and Golf Resort by two strokes from Andrew Coltart and by three from Montgomerie. A 17-under-par total of 271 allowed Clarke to turn a three-stroke overnight deficit into a superb victory as the 30-year-old Ulsterman added the Volvo Masters to his Benson & Hedges International Open win in May.
"It was gratifying to play so well under pressure and very satisfying to win again after a frustrating spell," said Clarke. "My goal was to win the tournament. Unfortunately it wasn’t good enough to win the Volvo Ranking but good luck to Monty. He proved why he’s been No1 for the last six years."
The £166,000 top prize was sufficient to hoist Clarke into second place in the Volvo Ranking with £902,867 - but insufficient to carry him beyond the man who has made the Ranking crown his personal property for the past six years. Montgomerie came within a whisker of becoming the first player to win more than £1,000,000 in official money on the European Tour as he set a new Tour record with £993,077 - ahead of Clarke (£902,867) and Lee Westwood (£814,3896).
"I didn’t realise I had won that much!" said Montgomerie. "My job on behalf of all the players on the European Tour is to thank all who have supported us and that starts with Ken Schofield, George O’Grady and all the staff at the European Tour for their support, help and dedication to the job."
Going into the final round, it was Westwood who seemed to hold the edge when he shared the tournament lead with Peter O’Malley, one ahead of Montgomerie. Westwood, however, came to grief when he took seven at the 14th by which time Clarke, following a superb outward 30, and a two at the 11th, had moved ahead challenged by Coltart. Indeed Coltart, out in 33, shared the lead with two to play but he took five at the 17th and Clarke birdied the last.
There has never been another Volvo Ranking finale to match the 1998 thrust and counter thrust involving Montgomerie, Westwood and Clarke all season. It was tight in 1995 when Montgomerie edged out Sam Torrance, but this three-cornered fight gripped the imagination all the way until the final putt was drained. The three protagonists locked horns virtually from May and early June when all captured victories to stake their claim to the Volvo Ranking title. In the final analysis, Montgomerie, wiping beads of perspiration from his brow, gasped: "All I can say is that it’s getting tougher! The others will now have to wait one more year, but they are getting closer. I don’t know if seven-in-a-row is on the cards but I’m looking forward to coming back to play Montecastillo, a real championship course, next year."
He added: "Lee and Darren’s day will come pretty soon. They are world class players and that was a world class score by Darren. Lee has also proved himself as a great competitor and a wonderful golfer."
Clarke said: "I dedicate this victory to a great friend, Stephen Boler, who died on Thursday. I’m delighted to have won and delighted for all the green staff at Montecastillo who worked tirelessly to make the course a world-class test. It is now a rival to Valderrama. I must also congratulate Colin on being number one again - Lee and I pushed him hard but he put his foot on the accelerator again - and, of course, Volvo for their magnificent support and this wonderful tournament."
An enthralling contest always looked a distinct possibility after six players - including Clarke - tied on 67 after the first round. Montgomerie, with a 67 in the second round, shot up the leaderboard to lie second behind Australian Peter Lonard. Westwood, meanwhile, was lurking one behind Montgomerie. The third round, traditionally ‘moving day’ lived up to its billing as the birdies flowed thick and fast. By the end of play, Westwood and Peter O’Malley led on 205, with Montgomerie one behind and Clarke three adrift.
The stage was set for a shoot-out the equal of which the European Tour has seldom, if ever, witnessed. The ‘big three’ didn’t disappoint. Roll on 1999.
