Orr jumps into lead with record 62

Gary Orr smashed the Duke's course record with a flawless 62 on Friday to gain the clubhouse lead in the British Masters.

Orr was seven strokes in front of overnight leader Colin Montgomerie with his 10-under-par second round and 15-under total of 129.

Fellow Scot Montgomerie faced an enormous task ahead of his afternoon round.

An eagle and eight birdies and an inward 29 left Portuguese Open winner Orr the early leader by four strokes from Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johansson.

Johansson carded a 65 to ward off another Scot, Andrew Coltart, by a shot. Coltart's 65 in turn kept him one better than defending champion Bob May after the American shot a 68.

Orr, about to make his U.S. PGA championship debut, has a double target this weekend.

Apart from trying for his second tour title, he needs to maintain a top 12 spot on the European order of merit to qualify for the NEC Invitational world championship at Akron, Ohio.

Orr holds ninth spot, but needs a good result at Woburn to stave off several challengers.

He ran up three birdies in his first six holes, eagled just before the turn, and then collecting five birdies in his last six holes.

His finale was as spectacular as it was important for the record as he clipped a three-iron pitch and run under trees which nearly took his ball into the hole for a second eagle, rimming out for a birdie.

"It could so easily have been bogey and then that would have left a sour taste," said Orr. "I was lucky because I could easily have been behind a tree.

"It shows that you need a wee bit of luck. This year I was fortunate enough to eagle the last to win my first event and you need that kind of luck."

Orr is challenging his role model Montgomerie for the $200,000 first prize and expects him to be a major threat.

"Monty's never done," added Orr. "He could go out and shoot 61 now. What I admire about him is he doesn't back off, whether he's three behind or five in front.

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