Mixed fortunes for top pair

Nick Faldo was in severe danger of his worst-ever European tour performance today – as playing partner Lee Westwood produced one of his best.

While Westwood scorched to a brilliant 65 in the second round at the Forest of Arden – he three-putted the last for that – Faldo crashed out of the tournament after a second successive 75.

As he headed away from the Warwickshire course the 46-year-old, who also made an early exit from the US Masters a month ago, was six over par and lying joint 147th out of the 156-strong field.

Since he made his tour debut way back in 1976 his lowest placing was 135th - at the 1984 European Open where he was disqualified.

Without a single birdie on his card Faldo suffered yet another big blow to his already dwindling hopes of a record 12th Ryder Cup this September.

He last played in 1997, but decided not to campaign for the captaincy and instead stated his desire to win back his place.

Westwood, on the other hand, is well in line to keep his place after a remarkable comeback from a slump that took him outside the world’s top 250 from a high of fourth only three years ago.

The 31-year-old from Worksop got back to winning ways at the BMW International in Munich last August, then two months later pipped Ernie Els no less for the dunhill links championship at St Andrews.

Having shed over two stones since then – he signed a two-year sponsorship deal this week with meat-free company Quorn – he did not qualify for the Masters at Augusta, but hit top form with four birdies on each half.

The Forest of Arden course record is the 63 of Colin Montgomerie in 1997 and Ian Poulter last year, but even if he had matched that Westwood would not have been added to the list because placing is being allowed on the wet fairways this week.

Until his closing bogey the former European number one was tied for the lead with Swede Patrik Sjoland and also 49-year-old Argentinian Eduardo Romero, trying to become the oldest winner in the tour’s history.

Montgomerie was paired with Westwood and Faldo and on his first appearance since announcing the break-up of his marriage he was pleased to make the cut with shots to spare at three under following a 69.

“I came here with low expectations,” said the 40-year-old Scot, hugely warmed by the reception he has received from fans.

“It was important to get out there, play golf and put other parts of my life aside and get on with what I do best, my job. It was nice just to have the phone turned off for six hours.

“I gave serious thought to delaying my comeback, but I’m glad I’m here. This was a big hurdle to get over – it’s going to take six months or something to play to my ability again and I thought I might as well start sooner rather than later.”

Overnight leader David Howell, who started with a 66, was among the later starters.

Londoner Brian Davis was eight under along with Westwood with two to play, having followed a double bogey on the sixth with an eagle at the next.