Montgomerie aces way back into contention

Sweden’s Pierre Fulke takes a one-stroke lead into the third round of the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo.

Fulke, who is seeking his second European Tour title of the year, made five birdies in his four-under-par 68 and now holds a slender one stroke advantage over player-partner Jose Maria Olazabal.

But the most significant stroke of the day came from Colin Montgomerie (pictured), who holed in one at the par-three 14th and ended the round three off the pace.

The big Scot, who desperately needs a victory in Spain to boost his chances of ending the season as European number one, had been struggling for much of the round until he arrived at the 14th tee.

But his ace at the 174-yard par-three hole, followed by a birdie at the par-five 16th, reduced his deficit from six strokes to three and offers him an excellent chance of taking the £333k first prize.

After carding a second successive 69, Monty stressed that his hole-in-one had been: “One of the best shots I have ever hit.” He also reckoned that the ace was “about my 17th”.

A smiling Montgomerie said after sinking his six-iron tee shot at the 174 yards 14th: "Should I buy a round of drinks? I don't know what happens. Doesn't the guy who does it usually get given something?"

Montgomerie reckoned he had shot more than six aces on the European Tour and several more in practice, including one last month.

On a more significant note, Monty understands the importance of lifting the Volvo Masters title on Sunday.

“I have to win the tournament. Second is not enough,” he explained with a view to next week’s end of season American Express Championship at Valderrama, where the Order of Merit title will be decided.

But overtaking the five players in front of him will not be easy. Four have won tournaments this season. Fulke, winner of the Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles in August, has suffered only one bogey in 36 holes. And then there is the little matter of second placed Jose Maria Olazabal, as well as Darren Clarke who is one stroke better off than Monty.

Clarke currently lies second in the money list and is even better placed than Monty to take the season-long crown.

The man they all have to catch in the Order of Merit, LeeWestwood, is a distant 10 off the pace but at least his second round 69 was seven strokes better than his opening effort.

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