Colin Montgomerie claims fifth Champions Tour title with victory in Japan

Colin Montgomerie carded a final round five-under 67 to win the Japan Airlines Championship, the first PGA Tour Champions Event in Japan.

The 54-year-old Scot finished at 14-under par to claim his first Champions Tour event since winning the Pacific Links nearly a year ago.

Montgomerie, who won 31 times on the European Tour topped the tour's money list a record eight times, finished one-stroke clear of Billy Mayfair and Scott McCarron after a composed two-putt from some 50 feet on the par-4 18th.

Champions Tour Golf

Mayfair was forced to settle for a six-under 66 - the best round of the day - after missing a six-foot birdie putt on the left edge which would have seen him make a play-off while McCarron birdied the final two holes for a one-under 71.

Montgomerie's fifth Champions Tour title came courtesy of a three-hole birdie blitz from the 12th which included a monster 60-footer before a further gain at the par-5 17th to move into the lead after previously sharing the advantage with Mayfair.

The former Ryder Cup captain, whose first three Champions Tour victories came in majors, began his final round in level par over the front nine but a blemish-free 5-under back nine proved too strong and he will defend the Pacific Links title in Canada next week.

Glen Day finished fourth at 12-under after a five-under 67 while Kevin Sutherland and Jesper Parnevik finished in a tie for fifth at 11-under after rounds of 72 and 67 respectively.