Cabrera holds on to four shot lead

Argentina's Angel Cabrera will take a four-shot lead into the last two rounds of the Volvo Masters but his closest challengers know anything can still happen on one of the most difficult courses in the world.

Cabrera, who fired a blistering opening round of 63 in the European Tour's season-ending event at Valderrama, had stretched his advantage to seven with two early birdies on Friday.

But the 33-year-old Cordoba professional then dropped four shots over the final nine holes to card a one-over-par 72, finishing at seven-under 135.

"It will all depend on Cabrera (over the weekend) and on the wind -- if it blows," said Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who fired a one-under-par 70 to tie for second at three-under 139.

"But I do not think two figures (under par) will be the winning score."

Seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie returned a 69 to join Garcia in a four-way share of second place and is well aware that par-71 Valderrama cannot be taken for granted.

"Any lead around here can dwindle," said the 39-year-old Scot. "There's potential disaster around every corner on this course.

"The only reason he's (Cabrera's) doing well is that he's keeping the ball in play, obviously. But who says he's going to win?

"It's a very interesting weekend ahead. I'm glad that I'm in a position to contend over the last two rounds. I like this. It's great."

Montgomerie was annoyed, though, that he had missed a birdie-putt at the par-four 18th to secure second place on his own.

"I had a 10-footer at the last and I realised that, if I holed that, I would be playing with Cabrera, and that would be for my own benefit to put some pressure on," he said.

"But, at the same time, I'm now playing ahead of him so I can apply some pressure there as well."

England's Justin Rose climbed into a tie for sixth at two under, following a second-round 69, and said he was surprised that the big-hitting Cabrera was doing so well at Valderrama.

"This is a course that you would think would suit him the least of all the ones because of his length," said the 22-year-old.

"This course really doesn't require length at all. It requires strategy and placing the ball in the right position off the tee.

"But I played with him last week (at the Italian Open) when he shot 61 and he's certainly playing well.

"Who knows what Mister Cabrera will do on the weekend. There's a lot to play for here."

Cabrera, when asked if he felt threatened by the likes of Montgomerie lurking just four shots behind, replied: "I'm intimidated by this course.

"If I'm scared of anyone, I'm scared of myself," the Argentine added.

"This is a very difficult golf course and anything can happen. But tomorrow is another day and I will just try to continue playing my own game.

"I've still got a four-shot cushion and I'm going to try and keep that to the very end."

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