05 February 2005	Saturday	25 Zilhaj 1425

SYDNEY, Feb 4: Briton Colin Montgomerie shot a flawless six-under-par 65 to grab a share of the lead with Peter Lonard of Australia after the second round of the Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne on Friday.

Montgomerie followed up his opening round of 68 to reach the halfway stage at nine-under-par 133 as the wet and windy conditions that drenched the course on the first gave way to perfect blue skies and sunshine.

Lonard, winner of the Australian Open and Australian PGA titles in November and December, joined Montgomerie at the top of the leader board with a 68 that featured an eagle three at the second.

South African Trevor Immelman, joint overnight leader with Lonard and Englishman Steve Webster, fired a 69 to finish just one shot off the pace, level with 23-year-old Australian Jarrod Lyle.

Lyle, who was diagnosed with leukaemia as a teenager but made a full recovery, made a flying start to his round, collecting four birdies and an eagle to turn in 30. He twice got to 10-under with birdies on the back nine but two late bogeys saw him end the day at eight-under, and suddenly in contention to win his first big title.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Australian pair Craig Parry and James Nitties finished the day at seven-under, just two shots off the pace, but the most ominous move was made by defending champion Ernie Els.

The South African world number three is chasing his fourth straight win in Australia's richest golf tournament. He shot one-over in the opening round but stormed back into contention with a 64 on Friday, four short of the course-record 60 he set last year.

Els carded eight birdies and had just one blemish in his round to join a group of five players at six-under though he was still not happy. Another nine players, including first round leader Webster, finished the day a further shot back.

Montgomerie, playing the back nine first, went out in a respectable one-under 34 but picked up five shots to come home in a sizzling 31. The 41-year-old won the Australian Masters at his last visit to Melbourne in 2001 and while his form has slipped in recent years, the big Scot said he was starting to turn the corner.

The highlight of Lonard's round was his approach to the second. He tapped in for an eagle and while he also managed three birdies in his round, two bogeys saw him settle for a 68.

SECOND ROUND SCORES:

133 Colin Montgomerie 68 65, Peter Lonard 65 68

134 Trevor Immelman 65 69, Jarrod Lyle 68 66

135 Henrik Stenson 69 66, James Nitties, 68 67, Craig Parry 69 66

136 David Smail 69 67, Peter O'Malley 70 66, Ernie Els 72 64, Nick O'Hern 69 67, Brett Rumford 70 66

137 Terry Price 70 67, Jamie Donaldson 69 68, Nick Dougherty 68 69, Graeme Storm 69 68, Soren Kjeldsen 69 68, Robert Karlsson 72 65, Camilo Villegas 66 71, Steve Webster 65 72, Richard Bland 70 67. -Agencies