Considering it is six years since he won his unprecedented seventh in a row and only nine months ago he was not in the world’s top 80 Montgomerie is understandably excited by the prospect of regaining his crown.

“It would impress me and that’s the most important thing – I want to do this for me,” said the 42-year-old Scot, who is almost £105,000 (€154,000) ahead in the race and will take the title regardless of where he finishes if Campbell is not in the first five on Sunday.

But that is not the way Montgomerie wants to complete the domestic season.

“I have come here to try to win the Volvo Masters. There are a lot of Ryder Cup points and world-ranking points and if I do that then everything else will fall into place.

“This is great. Isn’t it wonderful? This is competition and I thrive on competition.”

Although Campbell, the reigning US Open champion, says he would rather than have one major than seven money list titles Montgomerie remembers how he felt when presented with a trophy by then European tour boss Ken Schofield to mark the ‘Monty Years’.

“It says on it that it is a record that will forever remain unique. I am very proud of that and I don’t feel my career is not full without a major.

“I am very happy to have won the league championship seven times in a row and it would be a great honour to do it again.

“I will be giving it everything I can. I will be trying on every shot and that’s all I can do.

“I have no control over what other people do, but I will be in full control of what I am doing.”

Even if Campbell pips him, however, Montgomerie insists he will be celebrating the fact that he has reignited his career. He knows a lot of people did not think it would happen.