Golf: Monty in control

GEOFF OGILVY and Emanuele Canonica both broke the Barseback course record today, but no one could break the resistance of Colin Montgomerie.

Ogilvy, the Australian big-hitter, had eight birdies and an eagle in his 10-under par round, which gave him a halfway total of eight-under. It beat the previous record - held by Vijay Singh and Tony Johnstone - by three strokes, and moved him into second place in the clubhouse, two shots behind Montgomerie, who repeated his first-round 67.

The old course mark of 65 was then also surpassed by the Italian Canonica. The compact 5ft 2in player shot a 64, including successive eagles at the par five 12th and par four 13th.

Ogilvy, aged 22, was unaware he had broken the course record until he reached the scorer's hut at the end of his round. "I had no idea until I went in to sign my card," he said. "That was the best I have played for a long time and my lowest ever score."

Paul Broadhurst, the overnight leader, achieved his first priority of making the cut. He went round in level par 72 to remain on seven-under, three strokes behind Montgomerie.

Mhairi McKay and Janice Moodie staged a home assault on the McDonald's WPGA Championship of Europe in the second round at Gleneagles today. McKay fired a course record-equalling five-under-par 67 while Moodie shot 68 as they finished tied on a seven-under-par 137, one shot behind the leader, Catrin Nilsmark of Sweden.

Nilsmark, the European Tour money list leader, birdied the par-five 18th from nine feet to repeat her opening 68 and keep in front.

Putting proved a problem for Laura Davies, although she still shot a 69 to finish just three off the lead on a five-under 139.

Results, Digest, page 23