Golf: Tired Monty pays price for US Open obsession

Colin Montgomerie

Colin Montgomerie failed to make the cut at the Wales Open, citing tiredness for a second round six-over-par 75 that included three double-bogeys.

That left him eight over, well over the cut-off mark and 19 strokes behind the early second round leader Alessandro Tadini of Italy who went round in a course record 62.

Seven-times European No 1 Montgomerie has mounted an all-out effort over the last few weeks to scrape into the US Open field, having failed to make the US Masters.

While his successful bid has taken its toll, the controversy over his much-publicised mistake in wrongly replacing his ball in a bunker at the Indonesia Open in March might have finally had an effect but Monty refused to be drawn on this matter.

The Scot said: "What controversy?", repeating the riposte four times when asked if he had been affected, then finally adding: "End".

The 41-year-old offered a reason for Friday's failure, saying: "I'm very tired and now looking forward to a couple of days off."

Tadini stormed into a five-shot clubhouse lead with four birdies in five holes after the turn, breaking the Roman Road course record by a stroke with his 62.

Meanwhile American Jeff Sluman fired a one-under 71 to cling to the second round clubhouse lead at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, one stroke clear of a large group led by Tiger Woods.

Playing for the first time since his record streak of 142 consecutive cuts at US PGA Tour events came to a shuddering end at the Byron Nelson championship three weeks ago, Woods was quickly back in familiar form firing four birdies through his first seven holes.

- AGENCIES