Philip Reid meets the defending champion and one-time king of the European circuit who's struggling to regain his former eminence

In his first full year as a professional, Colin Montgomerie finished 52nd on the PGA European Tour Order of Merit but, as an indication of the promise the young man possessed, he was awarded the Henry Cotton Trophy as "rookie of the year".

That was an age ago, back in 1988, and it would be fair to say the Scot has had a pretty decent career since then.

In fact, that was the worst end-of-year position recorded by Monty, who went on to dominate the Order of Merit, winning it for a record seven successive times between 1993 and 1999 before dipping slightly to finish sixth (2000), fifth (2001) and fourth (2002).

But, guess what? Going into this year's final counting event, the one-time icon of the European game lies a lowly 28th in the money table and, unless he successfully defends a Volvo Masters title he shared with Bernhard Langer last year, he won't even finish as leading Scottish player. Changed times, or what?

Still Montgomerie clings to the belief that he has not gone into free-fall. Two weeks ago, he extended his record of having won at least one tournament a year to a 12th successive year - one more than Nick Faldo - when he won the Macao Open on the Asian Tour.

"It's nice to win. It doesn't matter where, or if people say, 'well, it's not the standard of Europe or America'. You know, you've still got to beat 150 guys . . . it's always good to win, to keep a run going, and I want to keep the run going in Europe."

Although his first tour win in Europe came with the Portuguese Open in 1989, Monty's sequence of years with at least one win on the European Tour dates from 1993. So far this year, however, a win has proved elusive.

"I look forward to finishing off the season here, the next four rounds are very important to me," insisted Montgomerie, who shared the title last year with Langer after the pair were inseparable following two play-off holes and then fading light prevented further play.

In an effort to prevent a repetition of that unsatisfactory ending, tournament officials have moved forward next Sunday's final round tee-times by half an hour. And Monty doesn't believe an exception should have been made to the rules that decreed only the top-60 on the money list qualified for the Volvo Masters, so stopping Langer's participation.

"If you don't qualify for a certain tournament you don't qualify. I believe he voted on that same subject himself at the Tour committee meeting, as I did. And unfortunately, he has not qualified."

Despite his failure to win in Europe this season, Montgomerie has been more disappointed with his fall down the world rankings, from 10th at the start of the year to his current position of 38th. "That's the worst year I've had, (but) obviously I can put things to right if I win here. I can put a little bit back . . . but, at the same time, even if I win here, it will be a disappointing year overall."

Even in his statements, the consistency that marked Montgomerie out as a breed apart would appear to have deserted him.