It was just like old times. Colin Montgomerie, who was for so long the dominant golfer in Europe, was being hailed as a champion again. It had not happened in Britain since October 2005. Montgomerie’s victory at the K Club, Co Kildare, on Sunday in the Smurfit European Open ended a 19-month drought and reminded us that even at 44 he can cut it.

In the past two weeks, the Scot has jumped from 33rd to sixth in the European Order of Merit and from No 48 to No 30 in the world rankings. “That’s more like it,” Montgomerie said. “This is a new era for me. It means an awful lot to me, less than a month after the US Open, to come back and lead after 68 holes last week and lead here, fabulous to come back that way so strong and prove that I am still capable of winning.

“I have proved it to myself and hopefully I can do it again. It is just great at 44 to win again, as sometimes that is the end of one’s career.”

Montgomerie next heads for Loch Lomond for the Barclays Scottish Open. It is an event he won in 1999, the previous time the Open Championship was held at Carnoustie.