Top pair revel in rivalry

Ryder Cup colleagues they may be, but, whether they like it or not, the rivalry between Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood is sure to spice things up for the final few months of the season. Indeed, there is the exciting prospect of all sorts of records being smashed by either one before the season is over.

Already, Montgomerie has become the first player in Europe to break through the £1 million in prize money in a season barrier; and Westwood's win in the European Masters in Switzerland, his third in successive appearance in Europe, has made him the quickest player in tour history to earn over £3 million in prize money.

By a remarkable coincidence, but indicative of the pair's dominance of the European circuit, Montgomerie - winner of his last two events on this side of the Atlantic, the Scandinavian Masters and the BMW International - has the chance to emulate Westwood's feat of a third successive tour win in this week's British Masters at Woburn.

For his part, Westwood has an opportunity to go one better. Not since Nick Faldo followed up his win in the season-ending Volvo Masters in 1988 by winning his first three events of the 1989 season (the Volvo PGA, the British Masters and the French Open) has a player won four successive events on the European Tour. The only other player to achieve the four-time feat is Seve Ballesteros. And Westwood isn't intimidated by the possibility of following the pair into the record books. He said: "They're two reasonably good names to follow - 11 majors between them, and arguably the best two players ever in Europe."

Montgomerie, a winner in Europe on five occasions so far this season, also has the most tour wins in a season statistic in his sights: it is currently held jointly by Australian Norman von Nida (1947) and Belgian Flory von Donck (1953), who each won seven times.

Westwood has also emerged as the main threat to Montgomerie in the Scotsman's quest for a record seventh Order of Merit title. He is currently £325,000 behind Montgomerie in the moneylist, but remarked: "The closer I get, the more pressure I put on him."

In fact, Westwood relishes the rivalry which has built up between the pair. "We spur each other on. Every time he performs well it gives you a kick up the backside," said the Englishman, adding: "He is probably the second best player in the world right now (behind Tiger Woods)."

Not that they will have it all their own way in Woburn. Darren Clarke will be playing his 11th tournament in 13 weeks, but is likely to take off next week's Lancome Trophy in order to rest before the Ryder Cup at Brookline the following week.

Clarke is one of seven Irish players in the £715,000 tournament. He will be joined by Paul McGinley, Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy, John McHenry, Philip Walton and Richie Coughlan, who has earned a sponsor's exemption.

The situation is getting quite desperate for Walton and McHenry in their respective quests to retain their tour cards for next season. Both will be looking to pocket healthy cheques this week.