Colin Montgomerie is the most successful British-born golfer in the history of the European Tour, having won a total of 31 events, his 2007 success in the European Open putting him one win ahead of Nick Faldo in the all-time standings.

Montgomerie turned professional in 1988 and was named the Rookie of the Year on the European Tour that season. He quickly developed into one of Europe's top professionals, winning his first event at the 1989 Portuguese Open by eight shots.

He finished first on the European Tour Order of Merit every year from 1993 to 1999 and his 31 wins included the 1998, 1999, and 2000 European PGA Championships. He first reached the top 10 in the official world golf rankings in 1994 and spent almost 400 weeks in the top 10.

Faldo was another successful British player, having turned professional in 1976 before winning Tour events in both of the following years. In 1977 he became the youngest player to appear in the Ryder Cup at the age of 21.

Faldo was one of the leading players on the European Tour throughout the early 1980s and topped the Order of Merit in 1983.

Next in the rankings of European Tour wins achieved by British golfers comes Ian Woosnam, with 29 victories, ahead of Sam Torrance on 21.

The present crop of British stars is headed by Lee Westwood, whose 18 wins include five separate successes in 2000, the year he won the Order of Merit title.