Singapore Masters: Monty eight off lead

Colin Montgomerie fired a second round 67 in the Caltex Singapore Masters - but still found himself eight shots off the lead.

Montgomerie added a 67 to his opening 66 for a nine under par halfway total of 133 at Singapore Island Country Club.

But the former European number one was upstaged by an amazing round from Frankie Minoza of the Philippines, the veteran carding a brilliant 10 under par 61.

That was just one shot outside the lowest round ever recorded on the European Tour, Darren Clarke the most recent to shoot a 60 in the European Open at the K Club in 1999, although Clarke's effort was on a par 72 course.

It gave the 41-year-old Minoza a halfway total of 125, 17 under par, again one shot outside the 36-hole record held by none other than Montgomerie.

But it was only good enough for a two shot lead over the field on another day of low scoring and high temperatures, Masters champion Vijay Singh his closest challenger on 15 under after adding a 63 to his opening 64.

England's Warren Bennett, joint leader overnight after an opening 63, carded a second round 69 to lie in joint third alongside Wales' Mark Mouland who had his second consecutive 66, and France's Olivier Edmond who had three holes to play.

Montgomerie was disappointed to fall so far behind the leaders after starting the day just three shots back, failing to take advantage of his early tee time.

"I had to get to 12 under really today and I'm not," the 37-year-old Scot said.

"I missed a couple of short putts and I'm stuck at nine unfortunately.

"But there is nothing wrong with my game and I've got a chance if I can shoot something low at the weekend, very low.

"Even if I don't score particularly low that's fine, I've had a good first two weeks out and I'm looking forward to Dubai and on to Bay Hill."

Bennett, who contemplated quitting the game last season after years of injury problems, also struggled to follow up his excellent first round score with four birdies and two bogeys in his 69.