BLOOMFIELD HILLS, United States (AFP) - Colin Montgomerie wrote the perfect fairytale conclusion to the greatest European victory in Ryder Cup history here, sinking the putt which ensured victory over the United States.
The 41-year-old Scotsman, who has the best winning percentage in European history, sank a testy three-foot par putt to complete a 1-up victory over David Toms that clinched what became an 18 1/2-9 1/2 victory over the Americans.
"I made a great up and down," Montgomerie said. "To finish strong was very good. It has been a fantastic day. It has been a superb week. You can't put into words what it feels like."
Montgomerie knocked the ball into the heart of the cup to ensure a fourth victory in the past five Cups, raised his arms in victory, joined his teammates in celebration and shared a tearful hug with European captain Bernhard Langer.
"You could see the emotion," Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke said. "You could see how much it meant to him."
Montgomerie, 3-1 here despite sitting out after 30 Cup sessions in a row, rose to 5-0 with two halved in Cup singles matches and 19-8 with five halved overall, including a 14-3 with three halved mark in his past 20 starts.
"All four wins have given us satisfaction but this is possibly the best feeling," Montgomerie said. "We doubled their points and that's remarkable."
The triumphant moment added to Monty's legend, which includes a 5-and-4 triumph over Scott Hoch that sparked a 2002 Cup victory.
"There is nobody more deserving that Monty," said Ireland's Paul McGinley, who holed the 2002 Cup-clincher. "For all that he has meant to Europe in the Ryder Cup, Monty deserves it more than anyone."
Montgomerie's ecstacy came after a year of personal turmoil that included a divorce from wife Eimear, losing 35 pounds and making a weekend run at the British Open in his hometown of Troon.
"It has been a long four months for me personally. I don't want to talk about it. But at the same time, it's quite well-known," Montgomerie said.
"Yeah, I have come a long way in those four months. I am proud of myself right now."
A laughing Montgomerie was able to joke about his bachelorhood. When asked about how different this victory was over past ones, Monty cracked, "It's the first one I've gone to bed on my own at night."
Five years after being the target of taunts in a loss at Brookline, Montgomerie backed up his selection as a captain's choice with stellar play.
Monty has hinted at a captaincy bid in 2006 but said he might play again in Ireland in a Cup defence at age 43.
"If I happen to be in the frame of mind to play I would love to play again," Montgomerie said. "There's plenty of time to be a captain.
"I managed to perform half decent and help the cause. If I can do that again I would be delighted to do that."
Monty's good timing at sinking the winning shot was fitting.
"For him of all people to hole the putt, it was just perfect and you knew he wouldn't miss," England's Paul Casey said.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who matched England's Lee Westwood at 4-0 with one halved this week, appreciated the final moment as well.
"For Monty, who has done so well in Ryder Cup, to have the winning putt is great I think," Garcia said.
Montgomerie, who has never won a major but has lost playoffs for US Open and PGA Championship crowns, has made the match-play classic his grand golf stage. He even admits having teammates bring out the best in his game.
"I like the team format," he said. "We all played for each other. We're one of the closest-knit teams in international sport. We must be. It's amazing how well we play for each other and that's huge."