Associated Press
Sunday, November 12

SOTOGRANDE, Spain -- Lee Westwood ended Colin Montgomerie's seven-year reign as Europe's top money winner Sunday.

	Lee Westwood won six times during the season to capture his first Order of Merit.

Westwood shot a 5-under 67 for a 279 total in the American Express Championship, earning enough prize money to overtake Darren Clarke, who was No. 1 entering the season-ending event.

By winning the $500,000 second-place check after finishing two shots behind Mike Weir, Westwood finished the season with $2,657,780.

Clarke, who shot a 70 Sunday for 288, wound up with European Tour winnings of $2,311,740.

Montgomerie, who had to win the $1 million first prize to have a chance of claiming his eighth straight title, shot a 74 for 289.

Westwood called it one of the most nerve-racking rounds of his career.

"It is more emotional than I have ever been," he said. "There was nothing quite like today playing that well under this pressure. I think if you watch the highlights you'll see my knees shaking."

Westwood said he made a small wager with Clarke in August about who would win the money title.

"As soon as I got to the scorer's tent, he (Clarke) gave it to me," Westwood said. "I'm going to go home and frame it."

Clarke blamed himself after entering the tournament with an $87,000 lead over Westwood.

"I had a chance ... to finish at the top if I played well," Clarke said. "I wasn't able to do that."

Montgomerie wound up No. 6 on the money list with $1,480,573.

Ernie Els was No. 3 with $1,711,810, followed by Michael Campbell with $1,695,426, and Thomas Bjorn with $1,641,088.