Colin Montgomerie closes in on lead

Colin Montgomerie, back using the swing that earned seven of his eight European order of merit titles in the 1990s, moved within a stroke of the lead after the French Open second round on Friday.

The 44-year-old Briton holed a 30-foot birdie putt at the last to draw within a stroke of fellow countryman Simon Khan.

Earlier, Englishman Khan defied a strong wind to shoot a four-under 67 for a five-under tally of 137.

As the wind became stronger in the afternoon, accompanied by occasional rain, Montgomerie fired a 70 to show he was in the mood to end a victory drought stretching back to the 2005 Hong Kong Open.

The Scot shared second place on four-under with Ryder Cup team mate Paul McGinley of Ireland (69).

"Conditions were tough today but I've now put two good rounds together and I've not done that all year," Montgomerie told reporters. "I am hitting fairways again and I look forward to doing exactly the same tomorrow.

"My right forearm has changed its action and it's more like the mid-to-late 1990s when it was inbuilt. I feel the same, just a bit older, but with the same attitude and ambition."

With none of the world's top 30 here, Montgomerie was critical of the leading European players who have spurned the chance to go for the first prize of 666,660 euros ($896,300), one of the biggest on tour.

Zane Scotland, 24, who had to pre-qualify, recorded a 71 to tie for fourth place on three-under with fellow Britons Kyron Sullivan and Tom Whitehouse and Dane Thomas Bjorn.

Scotland was the second youngest player to feature in a British Open when he played at Carnoustie in 1999 at the age of 16.

Khan set the pace with his best two putting rounds for a while after shortening an old putter his two-year-old daughter had been playing with.

If the Englishman claims his second career title he will clinch a place in next month's British Open on a mini order of merit that ends on Sunday.