Montgomerie received his previous honour in 1998 after winning the European tour Order of Merit for the sixth of seven successive times.

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Casey, who moves to 20th place on the European Tour Order of Merit, one place behind McGinley, added that a new driver had been crucial.

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Howell, the European Tour Order of Merit leader, got off to a flying start at the Yalong Bay Golf Club on Hainan Island with a birdie at the first.

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Montgomerie saw his chances of overhauling US Open champion Michael Campbell in the European Tour Order of Merit this weekend fade away as his three birdies were cancelled out by a bogey and a double bogey for a second consecutive par 72.

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The Race to Dubai replaced the European Tour's Order of Merit last year when it was launched.

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The foundations for his win which moves him up to third in the European Tour's Order of Merit were, of course, provided by his opening nine-under-par 63.

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"I've dreamed for so long to win on the European Tour, " said Jaidee, who is now fourth on the European Order of Merit and top of the Asian Tour money list.

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