Toshiba Classic: Colin Montgomerie motors round in 62

Colin Montgomerie shot one of the lowest rounds of his career a nine-under-par 62 to finish one shot behind winner Fred Couples in the Toshiba Classic in California.

Couples, 54, earned $262,500 after a birdie-birdie finish for a 66 and a 15-under-par total of 198 demoted clubhouse leaders.

Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Steve Pate were all on 14-under 197.

Montgomerie, Langer and Pate each earned $128,000 from the $1,750,000 prize fund.

It was the Scot’s third appearance this year on the US Senior Tour and his third top-10 finish.

Montgomerie has earned a total of $228,841 from the three trips to America.

In his Sunday bogey-free round of 62, Monty birdied the first, third, fourth and fifth in four-under 31 to the turn.

After that came birdies at the 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th in a five-under 31 for the homeward journey.

He had an average drive of 278.2yd in the “Toshiba,” and an average of 1.667 putts per green.

He hit 72.22% of the greens in regulation.

Fellow Scot Sandy Lyle finished well down the field in joint 70th place with three scores of one-over-par 72 for 216.