GOLF: Is it over already? Colin Montgomerie, diligent chap that he is, yesterday contrived to manoeuvre his way into a share of the first round lead in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama. And, at day's end, the Scot's name was on top, alongside that of Ian Poulter, the defending champion, after shooting an opening 67 that enabled him to take the upper hand in his quest for an eighth Order of Merit title.

If he was in pole position in the European Tour money race with Michael Campbell going into the season's finale, then Monty's first round endeavours allowed him to zoom almost out of sight.

"We've three rounds to go, and anything can happen," observed Campbell, who shot 72, to be five adrift. The Kiwi is not one to throw in the towel. But Montgomerie had already assumed that smug look of old, reminiscent of the time he dominated this tour between 1993-1999, even if his words were chosen wisely. "If we walk seven miles a day around this golf course, that means there's 21 miles to go and a hell of a lot can happen in 21 miles around this place," he remarked.

In terms of the money race, Montgomerie certainly has the edge over Campbell, the only man who can overhaul him. In terms of the tournament, however, it's a far different story. Traditionally, certain players play well around here; and so it was again yesterday as Montgomerie and title holder Poulter opened with 67s, that left them a shot clear of Sergio Garcia, Jose Maria Olazabal and Luke Donald.

All know how to negotiate a route through the cork trees, as past efforts testify. All know too that the pursuit of Montgomerie and Poulter has some way to go.

"You know," said Olazabal, "there are no moments on this golf course where you can really relax. You have to stay really focused and really give your best, otherwise this golf course will eat you alive."

Thing is, both men sharing the first round lead are well aware of the temptress that is Valderrama, and that it can give with one hand and take with the other.

"You know, I love this course. I love the whole place," said Montgomerie. So he should, because it obviously loves him too. On the eight hole, a short but tricky par four, Montgomerie was faced with a wedge shot of 111 yards to the flag. He hit he shot 112 yards, and the ball spun back the yard into the hole.

"It backed up and disappeared . . . you intend to hole it, but God, it's always lucky when it comes off. That was a boost for me, to eagle that hole is good."

In all, Montgomerie produced a round that featured that eagle along with five birdies and three bogeys, while Poulter's was far less eventful, featuring as it did five birdies and a lone bogey when he three-putted the fifth from the fringe of the green.

"I've got no other option than to win this week. I've no other focus apart from winning this golf tournament and I guess that's a lesson I have to learn every single week, to tell myself I have to win. I'm sure Tiger does that every week. I'm sure his expectations are very, very high and a lot of people could learn from that," said Poulter.

In the midst of all the serious business of chasing money titles and tournament titles, Jean Van de Velde - not for the first time - adopted the role of a joker. To him, though, what he was saying after a round of 78 that left him at the wrong end of the field was a serious matter as he addressed the R&A's decision to open up the British Open qualifying to women.

In fact, the Frenchman, who famously lost out in a play-off in the Open at Carnoustie in 1999, claimed that he intended to enter (if he could), the women's British Open. "We just have to draw the line somewhere and if a Tiger Woods or a Jean Van de Velde can't tee up in the Women's British Open, then there is a sense of discrimination. I will write to the R&A and the Ladies Golf Union and if necessary I will shave my legs and wear a kilt if that makes them happy," said Van de Velde. If that would be a sight to behold, it is not going to happen.

Andy Salmon, CEO of the Ladies Golf Union, responded: "We have not yet published the 2006 entry form but the 2005 entry form says you have to be of female gender. We have absolutely no plans to change that." To which Van de Velde responded: "What kind of discrimination is that? So our Open is for men and women but their Open is only for women?" Van de Velde is on his own on this one, though. For Montgomerie and Campbell, the more serious issues are their quest for the money title. For them and others, there's also the small matter of attempting to win one of the European Tour's flagship tournaments.

With three-quarters of the way to go in that particular race, there's still much to play for. It's not over!