Goosen still on top

Colin Montgomerie had a hole-in-one from 156 yards and Retief Goosen missed from barely a foot, but the South African was still the one heading for victory in Munich today.

After nine holes of his third round Goosen led the BMW International Open by three at 16 under par and it should have been more given his tiny miss for a three-putt par on the long sixth.

The double US Open champion had already had three birdies by then, however, so it was no cause for alarm and he made an eight-footer on the ninth to turn in 32.

England’s Nick Dougherty, who should qualify for The Open with a top three finish, was in sole possession of second place after covering the front nine in 33.

There was still the possibility, though, of Bernhard Langer becoming the oldest winner in European Tour history.

The 51-year-old German matched Goosen’s outward half to be in a tie for third spot on 12 under with Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Englishman Graeme Storm, who had posted the low score of the day so far with his 64.

Montgomerie may have extended his record number of European Tour aces to nine, but there was not a single birdie in his other 17 holes and after a 72 left him three under and out of the title hunt he said: “It was the only good shot I hit all day.

“It looked good all the way, but I played rubbish apart from that. I never made a birdie, which is terrible.

“I made as many holes-in-one as an amateur I believe. My iron play has always been my strength.”

With a car only available on the short 17th he was presented with a bottle of champagne for his feat, but it now looks certain that the Ryder Cup captain will complete a full year without a top 10 finish.

The last came when he was second to Spanish qualifier Pablo Larrazabal at the French Open last June.

As for 20-year-old Rory McIlroy, 10th in the US Open on Monday, he was nine under and joint 14th with four to play.