Injury throws Montgomerie`s British Open chances in doubt

Pebble Beach: Colin Montgomerie`s British Open appearance has been put in jeopardy by a torn calf muscle.

Europe`s Ryder Cup captain reported the injury on Friday after easing to six-under-par 138 with a second-round, four-under 68 in the BMW International, easily making the cut but lying six strokes off the early lead. Montgomerie, who turned 47 on Wednesday, managed to get round the Eichenried course only by dosing himself with painkillers and the eight-times European number one headed straight to the physiotherapy wagon after his round. Remarkably, Montgomerie said he had been suffering the injury in his left calf for three weeks. That covers the magnificent round of 62 over Sunningdale New Course 18 days ago that ensured he sealed his British Open spot at St Andrews next month. Now the Scot has a battle to make his 21st consecutive appearance in the major. "I`ve no idea how I did it but the muscle has torn, the pain is all through my back and it`s also affecting my Achilles tendon," Montgomerie told reporters. "You`ve got to be very careful over the Achilles, especially. I`m just about getting round (the course)." He had sought help this week from a doctor in Munich, used to treating and diagnosing football injuries, he said. "I`ve been seeing Germany`s under-21 football team doctor; his boss is in South Africa, of course. "He`s been very helpful because he`s used to dealing with footballers who have this type of injury." Montgomerie said that playing at St Andrews, where in 2005 he finished second to Tiger Woods in the major, was very important to him. "After shooting a 62 to get in I don`t want to miss out," he added. Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal is the early, two-shot, second-round leader in Munich after carding a second successive six-under 66 for a 12-under 132 halfway totals. Bureau Report