• PGA Tour

Tiger will reach 18 majors - Montgomerie

Tiger Woods is about to lose his world No.1 ranking © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Westwood will win a major - Tiger
  
• News: Westwood deserves No. 1 spot - Woods
  
• News: Kaymer's troubles take Westwood closer to No. 1 spot
  
• News: Monty tells Westwood to beware Tiger backlash
  
• Profile: Colin Montgomerie | Tiger Woods

Colin Montgomerie expects Tiger Woods to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the world No. 1 spot by equalling Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles.

Woods' unprecedented 5-year spell on top of the world rankings is in its final hours, with one of Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer - almost certainly Westwood - set to replace him on Monday.

It represents a changing of the guard that has been on the cards for some time now - Woods has looked a shadow of his former self since returning to the sport in April, and is still searching for his first tournament win of 2010.

But Montgomerie expects the American to come out fighting after he loses his grip on the world No.1 spot. "It might be the end of Tiger's reign for a limited spell," Montgomerie said. "I don't think he will be happy at being number two or three in the world.

"I am sure with the form he showed at the Ryder Cup [winning three of four matches] he'll be back with a vengeance next year, winning majors again and will get to Jack Nicklaus' record. He hasn't gone anywhere.

"But once you are number one, you want to stay there and you have to improve as the competition behind you gets better. I am sure Lee and Martin will seek to do so."

Meanwhile, victorious European captain Montgomerie has reiterated his belief that the Ryder Cup selection process must change. The Scot was forced to make an unenviable decision over his three captain's picks, with Paul Casey - a top-ten player - eventually missing out.

"The more captain's picks the better," he said. "Can you imagine if I had only had two? It was bad enough with three. I think there's a general consensus that the captain should have more picks rather than less. I personally would not want the same situation to fall on another captain whereby one has to leave out world players."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.