Colin Montgomerie won his first European Tour title in 16 months with a three-shot victory at the Singapore Masters yesterday.
The seven-time European number one, four strokes off the lead at the start of the day, fired a flawless, seven-under-par 65 at Laguna National Golf and Country Club for a winning total of 16-under-par 272.
Thailand-based American Greg Hanrahan, co-leader overnight with England veteran Barry Lane, secured second place at 13 under after closing with a level-par 72.
Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern (67) finished a further shot back in a tie for third with India's Jyoti Randhawa (66) while Lane, who had been chasing his first European title in 10 years, slipped back into a share of fifth with a 75.
Damien McGrane was best of the Irish pair who made the cut, closing with a 71 to finish joint 17th on six under and win €9,068.
But Peter Lawrie had an expensive Sunday, slumping to a 76 and finishing on three under, which was worth just €5,094.
Montgomerie, who had not won in Europe since he shared the Volvo Masters with Bernhard Langer in 2002, sealed his place in this week's Players' Championship at Sawgrass, Florida, with his 28th European Tour triumph.
"I had a challenge here to finish in the top two or three to get into the TPC and the challenge was on," said the 40-year-old Scot, after climbing back into the world's top 50. "This win means an awful lot to me. It has given me confidence, and I didn't have any confidence last year really at all.
"After I bogeyed the last on Thursday to lie one under par and about 30th place, it wasn't looking good. But then I put three good rounds together and no bogeys in the last three days and I am very proud of that.
"I knew I needed a 65 today, and it was very, very satisfying to go out and do just that," added Montgomerie. "I know I am good enough to perform and it's always nice when you can prove that to yourself."
The Scot got off to a fast start with birdies at the first two holes. He then picked up further shots at five and seven to draw level with Lane at the top of the leaderboard.
Lane, however, was to falter with four bogeys in the last six holes and Montgomerie forged two strokes clear with birdies on 13 and 15.
He then struck a superb six-iron to just two feet at the par-three 17th, his seventh birdie of the day, to effectively seal the win.
"I just took dead aim and hit a great shot," said Montgomerie. "When the putt went in, I felt very safe. The two early birdies were important, though. I wanted my name on the leaderboard as soon as possible and, after 20 minutes, it was there."