COLIN Montgomerie admitted he was looking forward to leading the 2005 Seve Trophy team - probably more so than at any other time since its inauguration five years ago - so he could finally put to bed his 21-year-old problems with insomnia.

The Great Britain and Ireland skipper revealed prior to the four-day tournament at The Wynyard Club that he was still suffering from sleepless nights over a British Amateur championship defeat to Jose Maria Olazabal in 1984.

It was the first and last time the pair had gone head to head - until yesterday. The 18-year-old Olazabal won 5&4 at Formby on that occasion.

Unfortunately, the 42-year-old Scot will have to endure a few more restless nights in the immediate future as he went down 2&1 to Continental Europe's stand-in skipper in the opening singles clash on the final day's play.

The former world No 2 could take consolation, however, in leading his side to yet another Seve Trophy triumph to lead the series 3-1.

Montgomerie, who led the GB&I side in the previous three tournaments in Valencia, Druid's Glen and Sunningdale, enjoyed mixed fortunes at The Wynyard over the four days.

He partnered rookie Graeme McDowell to a 4&2 victory against Maarten Lafeber and Emanuele Carnonica in Thursday's fourballs, before going down 3&2 to Thomas Bjorn and Henrik Stenson.

Montgomerie then teamed up with Nick Dougherty to win the final foursomes by one hole to close Saturday night's play and take a 9 to 8 lead into yesterday's singles matches.

Olazabal has not been in the best form of his career over the last two years but the two-times US Masters winner entered the Seve Trophy in buoyant mood after enjoying a third-placed finish in this year's Open.

The GB&I captain consistently hit the fairway from the tee but his finishing on the green was disappointing overall and ultimately cost him the game against his counterpart.

His Spanish opponent, in contrast, found himself in the rough and bunkers on several occasions, whereas his best work was seen on the green.

After halving the first hole Montgomerie will be disappointed to have found himself one-down at the par-four second hole following a straightforward putt.

He managed to draw level at the third, halved the fourth, before letting the match slip away from him by losing the next two.

The GB&I captain had a great opportunity to halve the par-four sixth but allowed himself to be distracted by a cameraman, and his putt to level rattled the hole and bounced out.

Montgomerie managed to drag himself back into it on the seventh and only some dogged determination from Olazabal on the 11th and 14th holes prevented the two-times US Open runner-up levelling the scores.

Olazabal had a horrendous time of it on the 14th, twice scuffing into the rough.

His second drive on the par-five hole went all of 50 yards but he still managed to hang on to halve the hole.

Olazabal ensured Montgomerie's sleepless nights will long continue on the par-three, 182 yard, 17th.

He hit the flag with his tee-shot and birdied to win the match with his Great Britain and Ireland opponent unable to respond from the bunker right of the green.