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Monty on song in France

29/06/2007

Colin Montgomerie rolled back the years to trail leader Simon Khan by one stroke at the halfway stage of the French Open.

The Scot fired a round of 70 to add to his opening round of 68 to lie on five under par along with Ireland's Paul McGinley.

Khan, 35, went round in 67 to add to his opening score of 70 to continue his promising form from last week's International Open in Munich.

Dane Thomas Bjorn is two shots further back on three under along with English duo Zane Scotland and Tom Whitehouse, as well as Welshman Kyron Sullivan.

But it was Montgomerie's form that stole the headlines as he fired three birdies and two bogeys with new caddie Craig Connelly.

Montgomerie, the winner of the tournament in 2000, admitted he failed to put two good rounds together this year.

"But one round doesn't make a summer. I had to put two together and this gives me confidence to put three and four together," Montgomerie said.

"The tournament deserves better. It's disappointing that no-one from the top 30 in the world is here but let's hope that changes in the years to come. It's got a good date and the event deserves a stronger field. The crowds are good and the whole facility is now a five-star resort and golf course."

Englishman Khan said a change of putter has seen a change in fortunes.

"I decided to start using an old putter which had been up in my attic and the two-year-old had been playing with it. At the time I would say her stroke was better than mine.

"It looks a bit battered but I decided to shorten it and decrease the loft.

"I had been standing too far away from the ball but now I am getting more over the ball and it feels more solid, especially in the wind," added Khan, whose average this week is a more respectable 30 putts per round.

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