Montgomerie jolted by poor start

Colin Montgomerie came back down to earth with a bump today as he found himself fighting to stay in the Madrid Open.

At an event with a total purse of just under £690,000 (€1m) – less than Tiger Woods won at the American Express championship last week – the Scot needs to improve on his opening 72 just to avoid an early return home.

But the 42-year-old, back at the top of the European Order of Merit after his third place finish in San Francisco, made a poor start to his second round.

Montgomerie, more than £90,000 (€131,255) clear of New Zealander Michael Campbell, failed to get up and down after missing the green on the 411-yard 10th.

He also failed to find the putting surface at the short 11th, but this time chipped to eight feet and holed the putt to remain two over par.

A birdie two holes later lifted him up to joint 76th, but only the leading 70 and ties tonight qualify for the final 36 holes – and he was also nine adrift of overnight leaders Mark Roe and Robert Karlsson, both among today’s later starters.

Montgomerie cannot clinch a record eighth money list title this week, but missing the cut would open the door to Campbell and third-placed Retief Goosen at the season-ending Volvo Masters in two weeks’ time.

If Campbell won there he would be certain to finish top and if he was second Montgomerie would have to tie with him, while if Goosen – £207,000 (€300,000) behind at present – won Montgomerie would have to finish second.

While the 42-year-old continued his bid to stay alive in the tournament playing partner and Ryder Cup Ian Woosnam had his sights on Roe and Karlsson.

Woosnam, whose last tour win was the 1997 Volvo PGA, set off again with four straight threes – three of them birdies – and then picked up another shot at the long 14th.

He was six under and into a tie for fifth place, only one behind Darren Clarke and Raphael Jacquelin and two behind the pacesetters.