COLIN MONTGOMEIE birdied the first five holes of the final round, but ended the Lancome Trophy at St Nom la Breteche yesterday by playing second fiddle to Sweden's Jesper Parnevik, and an inspired Padraig Harrington.

The American-based Parnevik withstood the early broadside to again beat him by five shots, a closing 67 enabling him to repeat his 1995 Volvo Scandinavian Masters victory over the Scot with a 12-under-par total of 268.

Harrington also outshone the European number one with a career-best 63, that gave him a share of seventh place alongside Ian Woosnam, and further enhanced his prospects of being Rookie of the Year. The Irishman chipped in twice during an inward 31, and also holed a 20-yard bunker shot at the 18th to win a Rolex watch worth £3,000 for the week's lowest round, as well as prize money of £16,753.

The 25-year-old Stackstown professional has now won £228,626 in his first season and has moved onto the heels of Scot Raymond Russell, who missed the halfway cut, in the struggle for rookie honours. The Edinburgh golfer, who won in Cannes three weeks before Harrington became Spanish Open champion, has £234,330 to his credit.

Montgomerie's 71 enabled him to hold off fellow Scot Ross Drummond and finish runner up to establish a six-figure lead over Woosnam in his quest for a record-equalling fourth Vardon Trophy. But it was an afternoon that the European number one will want to forget.

After sinking putts of seven and 12 feet on the first two greens, and then a trio of 20 footers to charge two strokes ahead, his game fell apart. There was a seven stroke swing over the next 10 holes as the Scot failed to hit the fairways and greens or sink any worthwhile putts.

Parnevik, one shot ahead at the outset, found that par golf and birdie threes at the 11th and 14th were enough to give him a five shot advantage for the awkward finishing stretch as Montgomerie followed bogeys at the sixth and seventh with three more at the 13th, 14th and 15th.

Son of Sweden's most popular comedian and impressionist, Jesper (31) indulged his own liking for the theatrical by pulling a nine-inch cigar from his golf bag and smoking it while he was taking the three putts he could well afford on the last green. It was an appropriately zany gesture with which to sign off for the season by the golfer whose trademark is a cap with an upturned peak.

Afterwards Parnevik revealed that he will withdraw from the Dunhill and World Cups and take a long rest in order to get fully fit for next year. He has twice had to take five-week breaks because of a neck injury, and has recently lost 15lb after a series of stomach disorders.

"It has been an exhausting year in the USA and it is a pity to stop now because my game is about to take off," he said, "but I am very tired and need a break". The irony is that despite a third European victory worth £108,330 - all incidentally by five strokes - Parnevik has not earned a single Ryder Cup qualifying point for the 1997 team. A recent rule change means he is not eligible unless he agrees to return to full membership of the European Tour, so the only way he can be at Valderramma next year is as one of the two personal choices of captain Seve Ballesteros.

Montgomerie says he will plead for a change to the Ryder rules, taking time out in defeat to stress "We cannot go to Valderrama without Jesper".

He added: "I played incredibly badly over the last nine holes and did not hit a golf shot after the sixth. But all credit to Jesper for walking through the door that I opened wide for him."

Harrington reaped the benefit of a two-hour practice chipping session after his third round, by collecting eight birdies in his seven-under-par romp to finish on 278. Partnering Darren Clarke, who had 73 for 288 and was Joint 45th, he made five in the space of six holes around the turn.

Harrington followed a fifth birdie at the 11th by sinking a 15-yard chip from behind the green at the short 12th, then did the same from the front of the 14th. He almost sank another at the 7th before signing off with the perfect sand shot.

It was his lowest score in amateur or professional golf, beating the 64 he achieved in the second round of the Spanish Open in Madrid. "I played well enough for a 67 but I got all the breaks," he said modestly. Clarke won £3,445, while Ronan Rafferty who closed with 75 for 287 took home £4,290 for a share of 38th position.

After three qualifying events, Harrington and Clarke are the best placed Irish golfers in the Ryder Cup table, filling 15th and 8th places