Newport, May 30: Colin Montgomerie was left cursing his bad luck on Friday when his eagle putt at the last rimmed out to almost certainly dump him out of the Wales Open.
The Scot had started favourite to win the Celtic Manor event against a weakened field on his debut at the 2010 Ryder Cup course. But a woeful putting display again, despite a trip home to Surrey for a new putter, left him only level-par 144 after a one-under second round 71, with the cut likely to fall at 143.
"That putt on the last was amazing," said a deflated Montgomerie, still to chalk up his first win of the season and languishing 31st on Europe's money-list. "I don't know how it missed.

"I had a few of them today and last night I missed about a foot putt on the last.
"I played well from tee to green but holed nothing at all, so I went home last night to get a heavier putter. It worked a little better but they still didn't go in."



Montgomerie said his inconsistent form would not harm his preparations for next month's U.S. Open. He is not, at this stage, down to play in next week's British Masters the week before the year's second major.



"No there'll be no damage. I'm striking the ball well enough. I hit 16 greens yesterday and the same today, there's nothing wrong with that part of my game at all," he said. "I haven't holed the putts unfortunately. The guys who are nine and 10-under have and I haven't. That's why I'm at level-par."


Bureau Report