Lee Westwood yesterday became the first player for seven years to win three times in-a-row in Europe. The 26-year-old from Worksop held off Dane Thomas Bjorn in a thrilling head-to-head in Switzerland to add the Canon European Masters to his Dutch and European Open titles. It is a hat-trick that has earned Westwood just over £500,000 - and with this latest £150,000 cheque he becomes only the 13th player to break through the £3 million barrier. Finally coming to terms with the controversial Crans-sur-Sierre greens re-designed by Seve Ballesteros, Westwood shot a closing 65 to Bjorn's 66 to win by two.
The two 1997 Ryder Cup teammates - Westwood will, of course, be in Boston for the defence of the trophy later this month, but Bjorn will not - had a better-ball of 60 and were locked together with four holes to play.
When Westwood sank a 40-foot eagle putt on the long 15th he looked to have struck a decisive blow. But Bjorn followed him in from 12 feet for birdie, then both birdied the 236-yard 16th.
Unfortunately, it was a mistake that effectively settled it. Bjorn, bunkered off the tee at the 17th, went over the green, chipped eight feet past the hole and missed.
He still sensed a chance to force a play-off on the 405-yard last, but after Westwood had left his long first putt seven feet short he missed his 12-foot birdie attempt.
With two putts for victory, Westwood took only one to finish on the 14 under par aggregate of 270.
German Alex Cejka was third six strokes back and 46-year-old Scot Sam Torrance, in easily his best display of the season, shared fourth spot with Frenchman Marc Farry.
"That was one of the best days I've ever had on a golf course," said a delighted Westwood. "I don't think you will see two guys play as well for a long time. "I'm playing very well at the moment and I'm capable of being in contention next week (at the Victor Chandler British Masters at Woburn starting on Thursday) to try to make it four-in-a-row."
Nick Faldo was the last player to have three successive victories - and was also the last to have four, a tour record he shares with Ballesteros.
It was Westwood's 17th professional victory - and, with Montgomerie having also won three times since the start of July, it keeps the race to be Europe's No 1, a crown Montgomerie has held for the past six years, alive.
The Scot still leads by nearly £325,000, however, and Westwood admits: "I'd rather be in his position."
Montgomerie is also in action at Woburn this week and, despite the presence of Open champion Paul Lawrie, he and Westwood are now bound to be centre-stage.
