MERIDEN (England), June 7: Britain’s Colin Montgomerie missed the cut for a second successive week after he shot a 75 in his second round at the British Masters on Friday and left his US Open preparation in disarray.

His round left him at four-over-par 148 and he missed the cut for a second successive week in regular European Tour events, for the first time in five years.

It was an invidious outcome for the seven-times European number one who was a late entry to the tournament specifically for late practice ahead of next week’s second major in Illinois.

Fellow Briton Greg Owen, seeking his first Tour victory, set the early second-day pace on eight-under-par 136 after a four-under-par 68.

He was later joined by Australia’s Richard Green who had a 66 after birdies at his last three holes.

Germany’s Marcel Siem and another Briton, David Lynn, were one stroke behind the pair.

Former European number one Lee Westwood, who has been struggling with his form, avoided missing the cut with his first professional hole-in-one on the par-three fifth.

Leading second round scores (Britain unless stated):

136 — Richard Green (Australia) 70, 66; Greg Owen 68, 68.

137 — David Lynn 66, 71; Marcel Siem (Germany) 66, 71.

138 — Darren Fichardt (South Africa) 72, 66; Matthew Blackey 70, 68; Mikael Lundberg (Sweden) 69, 69.

139 — Ignacio Garrido (Spain) 67, 72.

140 — Stephen Gallacher 69, 71; Peter Fowler (Australia) 65, 75; Jean-Francois Lucquin (France) 69, 71.

141 — Mark Roe 71, 70; Gary Birch 72, 69; Barry Lane 73, 68; Andrew Coltart 68, 73; Adam Mednick (Sweden) 72, 69; Matthew Cort 69, 72; Costantino Rocca (Italy) 69, 72; Brett Rumford (Australia) 71, 70; Jamie Donaldson 70, 71.

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