Montgomerie closes in on Orr

Colin Montgomerie recovered from a lethargic second round in the British Masters to fire a third day six-under-par 66 to close the gap on leader Gary Orr on Saturday.

Despite missing two good eagle chances and making two bogeys, Montgomerie moved to within two strokes of his fellow Scot Orr, who headed the field for the second day.

Orr followed his course record of 62 on Friday with a 68 containing only one bogey to move to 19-under-par 197, surviving a scare on the last when he thought he had lost his ball off the tee.

Montgomerie, who had been knocked off the top of the leaderboard by Orr on Friday, overhauled veteran Mark McNulty to take second place.

McNulty, the 46-year-old Zimbabwean, spoilt his day with a double-bogey after going into trees on the 16th. He fell from only a stroke off the lead at one stage to end four shots adrift with a 71 for 201.

Four players are on 202. Last year's British Open winner Paul Lawrie returned to form to share fourth place with fellow Briton Ian Garbutt, Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johansson and Australian Jarrod Moseley.

Leader Orr may now have to withstand high pressure on the final round from Montgomerie if he is not to finish second-best to the seven-times European number one, as he did in the 1998 European PGA championship.

"I'm glad I'm playing with Gary because I'll be able to put some pressure on him," said Montgomerie, who is looking for a 200,000 dollars first prize and a third win of the year to reduce the 600,000 dollars margin between himself and European Tour rankings leader Lee Westwood.

"I wanted the competition and I want to win. Of course I should win with my experience and the way I'm hitting the ball well."

Montgomerie was annoyed at missing two eagle putts to deny himself a share of the lead but happy at making "an easy" 66 after an "off-day" in the previous round.

Orr's birdie bonus on the last, after taking a provisional ball when he expected to be in trouble, was his fifth and he maintained it was vital.

"I got away with it again just like I did after going into the trees on my last hole on Friday," said Orr.

"I'm not surprised Monty says he expects to win. He's won so many. He's used to winning, so he should talk that way, and he's playing well.

"I'll need at least a 68 now, and in some ways that makes the job easier. You know you can't go out and play just average golf."

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