Golf: Cheater's day really bizarre

In the morning he was apologising for "the hurt I have caused my family". In the afternoon Colin Montgomerie was moving into contention for the Wales Open. Of all the bizarre days which have filled this Scot's career, few have rivalled the one seen yesterday.

The billing had said Montgomerie would be at the venue of the Ryder Cup checking out the Europeans who may or may not make his side in four months' time. As it proved, he was facing questions about the confession he made in a national newspaper.

For five hours on a Twenty Ten Course bathed in sunshine, he was able to stall becoming further submerged in yet another extra-marital scandal involving a high-profile golfer.

Smiling as if he did not have a care in the world, the 47-year-old shot a second successive 70 to stand on two-under, four off German Marcel Siem's lead.

As he said "it's been the first time I've been up there for a while". But the press corps inevitably wanted to focus on what it said in the Daily Mirror, not on the leaderboard.

"I've said everything I have to say," said Montgomerie, after initially refusing to talk about the revelation that he is seeing a former girlfriend.

"The crowd were supportive and it's up to Gaynor [Knowles, his wife of two years] and I to work things out. That is what we are doing and we are looking forward to welcoming everybody here to Wales in October with a win."

Montgomerie and first wife Eimear Wilson divorced in 2004 after a 14-year marriage. When asked if the issue would have an impact on his Ryder Cup captaincy, he replied: "No, not at all. Not one bit."

Cynics will point out how Montgomerie has repeatedly stressed the importance of the wives at the Ryder Cup.

When commenting on Tiger Woods' problems, he pointed out how awkward the world No 1 might have felt. Montgomerie can only pray he does not come in for even a thousandth of the scrutiny that Woods has been under. Monty is not in Tiger's league fame-wise - but the timing is awful.

Inevitably the big man's predicament overshadowed the second round. But there were sporting storylines daring to divert a little of the attention.

Luke Donald followed a 75 with a 65 to move to two-under, so further cementing his reputation as the new comeback man of golf, having prevailed in Madrid last week, after blowing the BMW PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, Danny Lee was the only New Zealand golfer to make the cut. He shot a second-round 72 for a two-round total of 143, 13 off the pace.

Fellow New Zealanders Mark Brown (74, 72) and Michael Campbell (76, 78) missed the cut on a day which the Celtic Manor Ryder Cup venue proved the day's real winner.

- INDEPENDENT