Forest of Arden, June 07: Britain's Greg Owen and Richard Green of Australia share a one stroke lead after the second round of the British Masters, while Colin Montgomerie missed the cut for a second successive week. Montgomerie shot a 75 in his second round at the British Masters on Friday (June 6) and left his U.S. Open preparation in disarray. His round left him at four-over-par 148 and he missed the cut for a second successive week in regular European Tour events, for the first time in five years. It was an invidious outcome for the seven-times European number one who was a late entry to the tournament specifically for late practice ahead of next week's second major in Illinois. Fellow Briton Greg Owen, seeking his first Tour victory, set the early second-day pace on eight-under-par 136 after a four-under-par 68. He was later joined by Australia's Richard Green who had a 66 after birdies at his last three holes. Germany's Marcel Siem and another Briton, David Lynn, were one stroke behind the pair.

Former European number one Lee Westwood avoided missing the cut with his first professional hole-in-one on the par-three fifth.

Westwood looked as though he had reverted back to the indifferent form of the last two years when he dropped off the leaderboard with five bogeys. But then his six iron tee shot at the par-three fifth, his 14th hole, gave him his first professional hole-in-one. Westwood finished the day with a round of 76 to finish one under par overall.

Montgomerie last missed the cut in successive events at the 1998 European and BMW International Opens, he also missed the cut in the 2001 US Masters and then the Portuguese Open when he next played.

He said he was hopeful of turning around his form in time for his favourite major in which he has finished second twice and also third.

Bureau Report