Such was Colin Montgomerie's total domination of the European Tour during the 1990s that,after a 4th place in 1991 and a 3rd in 1992,he topped the Order of Merit for the remainder of the decade. In 1997,his fifth successive year at the top,he eclipsed the previous record set by Peter Oosterhuis between the years of 1971-74. Montgomerie joined the paid ranks in 1987 after enjoying a fine amateur career which included victories at the 1985 Scottish Stroke Play Championship and '87 Scottish Amateur. His first tournament win came at the 1989 Portuguese Open where Colin finished a whole eleven strokes clear of his nearest rival at 24 under par. Two years later Montgomerie captured the Scandinavian Masters and had ten top 10 finishes to secure a place in the now infamous Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island. Colin was defeated in partnership with fellow debutant David Gilford in the opening morning foursomes and did not play again until the afternoon of day two where he partnered Bernhard Langer to victory over Corey Pavin and Steve Pate. On a final day of high drama Monty seemed down and out in his singles duel with Mark Calcavecchia when he was four down with four to play. The Scot battled back magnificently,however,to grab a half point but Bernhard Langer's missed putt on the final green meant the Americans had won by the narrowest of margin's at 14 1/2-13 1/2. The 1992 US Open saw Montgomerie have his first real tilt at a major championship and when he returned a two under par 70 in difficult conditions on the final day he looked to be well in contention. Tom Kite held firm,however,to score 72 for a total of three under par,two strokes clear of Jeff Sluman and three ahead of Colin. (David Scranage)