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Colin Montgomerie climbs to second place
Colin Montgomerie has a chance of losing the most unwanted tag in golf but he needs to make up at least four shots and beat world number one Tiger Woods to do so.
The 42-year-old Scot, a European number one on seven successive occasions, has long looked destined to go down in the history of golf as one of the best players never to have won one of the sport's four major titles.
After a six-under-par 66 in the British Open second round, moving him up to second place and into a head-to-head with Woods for Saturday's third round, Montgomerie intends to take a businesslike approach to trying to end his major drought.
"I'm not going to say it's going to be fun because everyone who says it's fun, shoots 80," said Montgomerie on Friday.
"This isn't fun. This is a major championship. This is a job of work and it's business. Very much business."
Whie Montgomerie is dedicated to trying to outdo Woods, it does not stop him respecting the nine-time major champion, with whom he played the third round at Augusta in 1997 as Woods marched to a record 12-stroke Masters victory.
"I've played with Tiger a few times now in major tournaments and look forward to it, especially on a course like this," he said.
"I enjoy watching him. It will be a privilege. We are watching a unique golfer on a unique golf course."
Montgomerie is well aware that if Woods turns it on, however, the Scot will be playing for second place at best.
"It's a bit like Roger Federer," he said. "If he plays well at Wimbledon he wins -- and he did."
Montgomerie is hoping he not only maintains a good putting stroke but has another enthusiastic home gallery behind him to take on the world number one.
"That was a very important putt at the 18th," the European Ryder Cup stalwart told reporters.
"I had been leaving my putts short and as long as I follow through I know I will putt better. If I putt as well as I did today, I have a chance."
Montgomerie paid tribute to the galleries.
"The crowd were great to me. They had been building up to see Jack's (Nicklaus) farewell and I'm glad they stayed on to help me home.
"I was three-under for the last five holes and there's a lot of credit due to them for helping me do that."
Montgomerie agreed that everyone could be playing for second place if Woods maintained his form, although he added: "At St Andrews you can get some odd bounces and if Tiger does stumble it gives us a chance".
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