Colin Montgomerie carded a three under par 69 to move within striking distance of the lead mid-way through the first round of the Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) at Moscow Country Club.
The victorious 2010 Ryder Cup Captain was four under par as he stepped onto the 18th tee, but a wayward drive into a bunker cost him a bogey down the last.
Montgomerie had got off to a strong start after he made a first birdie of the day thanks to a fine three iron to ten feet on the 444 yard par four third hole, but he would drop a shot after finding sand on the short fourth, before a sand wedge to four feet at the long fifth set up a second gain of day one.
The Scot’s shot of the round came when he holed a chip for birdie from the back of the green on the par four 12th, before he gained further shots on both the 15th and 17th prior to his closing bogey down the last.
“It was one of those days when not much happened,” said the double Senior Major Champion. “I hit a lot of good shots but I couldn’t get the putts to drop. I was in a decent position when I carded my fifth birdie of the day on the 17th, but it was disappointing to drop a shot at the last. That leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.”
Miguel Angel Martin also went well on day one after he carded two birdies in his last three holes to claim an early clubhouse lead on five under par. He was subsequently passed by Frenchman Marc Farry who fired a seven under par 65 on Friday, but Martin was still pleased with his opening salvo.
He said: “I played very well. I have been practising hard and it paid off today.”
