Having lost weight, his game and his way, slimline Colin Montgomerie is looking for a tonic with a winning double to salvage his season and remain Europe's No.1 player for the eighth consecutive time.

When he began weight-watching after a disappointing performance in the Open Championship, the Scot did not notice the problems that the disappearing pounds were causing.

It is only in the last week that his svelte-like shape and wondrous swing have synched.

''I lost confidence after then Open. I didn't score under 70 and that threw me a bit,'' confessed Montgomerie, who is now 50lb lighter than when he tipped the scales at 17st 10lb in winning the Dunhill Cup in 1995.

''I wanted to lose weight and did it too quickly. My rhythm went without me realising it because I was that bit lighter. Everything came through a bit quicker and I was spinning out of shots.

''Last month was a bad one, a missed cut, fortieth in the Lancome, 20-odd in the Belgacom. But last week (German Masters) was much better and that has given me confidence for the remainder of the Tour.''

Normally, when the forests at Wentworth take on autumnal hues, our man has the Money List locked up and is wondering how to spend it on his annual holiday.

Now, he has set himself the daunting task of winning not only the Cisco World Matchplay championship, which begins today, but also the Volvo Masters and then the WGC American Express at Valderrama, where Tiger Woods and many of the game's elite will compete.

''Every time I turn into the drive at Wentworth, I feel I'm going to win, that I'm one up on the first tee,'' he insisted. ''I just enjoy the course, it seems to suit my game.

''This year has not finished for me at all. In fact, it might just be beginning. I've got to win the last two events to keep improving. Those are my goals and I'm determined.

''Sure, you have to beat Woods and Duval and a number of top Americans in the AmEx, but what's wrong with that? I have a good record there, I've won there and I'm back where I want to be with my game.''

Should he achieve his target, then the two pretenders to his title, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, would have to wait another year before de-throning him.

However, he will have his work cut out defending his title. Both Sergio Garcia and Nick Faldo are men re-born after overcoming personal problems to resurrect their careers.

There is certainly a new maturity about Garcia, who exactly a year ago left defeated and in disgrace after angrily kicking his golf shoe, which narrowly missed an official.

As his form dipped below his expectations, so did his behaviour become increasingly unacceptable. Indeed, it was so intolerable that his father, Victor, warned that if he could not revert to being the charismatic figure who captivated the world of golf, he should quit.

Admitting that his personality changed with his fortunes on the course, Garcia, revealed: ''It's difficult when you expect things and they don't go the way you want. You get frustrated, impatient, and you change. This can happen very easily. More than anything, I was angry with myself and was taking everything too seriously.

''I was fortunate to have my family around me. My father said he would prefer me not to play golf if I couldn't be like I was before. He told me that golf is not the most important thing in life. My father and mother are.''

For Faldo, it was his latest girlfriend, who he will marry next year, who made the difference.

''It was like there was no escape when I had problems in my personal life and I wasn't playing well,'' he explained. ''Obviously, finally sorting out my personal life has settled things down a bit. My priorities are a lot simpler now.

''Vee (girlfriend) has been very good. Basically, she said I had a great opportunity, nothing to prove and to go out and just play. Give it another go, enjoy it and see what happens. It's a good attitude and has made a big difference.''

Before, at his lowest ebb, Faldo did consider giving it all up, but now he is determined to qualify for the next Ryder Cup.

''I've worked on every department of my game and am pushing myself as hard as I can. It's starting to turn around and I feel I'm edging closer to winning again,'' said Faldo, who meets Irishman Darren Clarke this morning.

Ernie Els is another forced to take stock after being deposed as the world's No.1 and sliding down the rankings. This season he re-dedicated himself to the game and improved in every area.

Switching to the new Taylormade 20 driver has restored length and accuracy and the South African has been rewarded by finishing second to Woods in three of the major championships and moving up to second place in the world rankings.

''I re-focused at the start of the year and put in more work. I feel I could have done better and won another couple of events, but I have come a long way,'' Els observed. ''But it looks good for next year.

''And while it has never been on my mind, I could win the European Order of Merit. Imagine that.''