VIRGINIA WATER, England (PA) -- Australian Scott Arnold, the world's No. 1-ranked amateur, has followed Irish Open champion Shane Lowry into the professional ranks and will also play this week's European Open at the London Club in Kent.

"It's always been my aim to play golf professionally in Europe," said Arnold, who has signed with International Sports Management. "It's definitely where I think my game will improve the most."

Arnold is a close friend of Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting. Other golfers represented by ISM include Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Paul McGinley.

PRIORITY CHANGE FOR MONTY: Colin Montgomerie made a late decision not to play in Monday's 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier at Walton Heath, saying he wanted instead to prepare for his next two European Tour tournaments.

Europe's Ryder Cup captain finished the BMW PGA Championship with a 76 to drop from 10th to 35th and goes into this week's European Open still seeking a first top-10 finish since last June.

Montgomerie is now outside the world's top 175, yet it was only three years ago that he led the U.S. Open with a hole to play before double-bogeying the final hole. And with his 46th birthday less than a month ago, he is in dire need of a boost in confidence.

ACCEPTING OF DEFEAT: For the second time in three years at the BMW PGA Championship, Ross Fisher did not leave Wentworth with what he came for -- but he sure left feeling better about his golf game than he did in 2007.

Fisher crashed to an 84 when tied for the lead after 54 holes then, but on Sunday he fired a 64 and was denied only when Paul Casey birdied the last two holes for the win.

"Obviously disappointed, but I couldn't really give it any more," Fisher said. "Paul is a great champion. I witnessed his golf the first two days and knew he was going to be tough to beat. It's a great week for myself and a massive confidence boost for my European Open defense."

That starts on Thursday on the same London Club course where he triumphed by seven last year.

Copyright 2009 PA Sport. All rights reserved.