Unlucky 13 for Colin Montgomerie

A double-bogey on the unlucky 13th cost Colin Montgomerie his British Open lead on Saturday, leaving the 38-year-old Briton in what could be a remarkable mass scramble for the title in the final round.

Montgomerie looked to have recovered from a poor front nine over which all he had to show was two bogeys, but a calamity on the 342-yard par-four 13th put doubts on his claim to a first major title as the Scot slumped to a two-over-par 73.

That dropped him back to five-under-par 208, in a group of nine a stroke off the lead held by David Duval, who carded a 65 early in the round, veterans Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer and Alex Cejka.

After an erratic front nine in which he blamed his putting for holding him back, birdies on the 10th and 11th looked to have ended Montgomerie's wayward period but then he fell foul of a bunker at the 13th.

He had to play with one foot in and one foot out of the bunker and his stance was so awkward he slipped into the sand before taking his shot, causing him and the huge gallery great amusement.

But it was no laughing matter when he left the ball in the bunker right under the lip and the Scot did well to avoid dropping three shots.

"I didn't have many options at the 13th - apart from splitting my trousers," said a philosophical Montgomerie.

"In hindsight playing out backwards was an option but I thought I could get out and make a four. As it was I did well to make a six.

"I came down too heavy on the ball. It was possibly the easiest hole on the course and that really hurt."

Montgomerie was relieved to par in from there over Lytham's tough finish and he is happy to still be well in the hunt for the Claret Jug.

With 13 players within just a stroke of each other and 19 within two, the long-time leader was not so disappointed at falling behind as he might have been.

"To have a 73 and still be only one off the lead isn't as bad as it could have been. It's anybody's and it can still be mine.

"My ambition was to be in contention on Sunday afternoon and it might be beneficial because I can start in a relaxed fashion now I'm not leading."

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