Colin Montgomerie made just the start he wanted to his second round in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles today.

After an opening four-under-par 69 had left him four behind pacesetter and fellow Scot Marc Warren, Montgomerie set himself a target of reaching 10 under by halfway.

And when he birdied the 11th and 12th holes — he resumed on the back nine — the eight-time European number one was up into a tie for fifth place on six under.

Warren, last season's Rookie of the Year, was among the later starters and while he breakfasted it would have come as no surprise to him that his position at the top of the leaderboard was under threat.

Nicolas Colsaerts, his closest challenger overnight on seven under, was also not teeing off until the afternoon, but the Belgian, runner-up in the tournament two years ago, was joined by England's Simon Wakefield and Indian Jeev Milkha Singh.

At 44 Montgomerie still has a chance to win the Order of Merit for a ninth time, especially with leaders Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose currently in the States.

Following his win in the European Open at the start of last month, his first success for 19 months, he lies 10th on the money list, but would go sixth by taking the title on Sunday.

It would be sweet indeed. Not only he is the championship chairman — he could present the trophy to himself — and not only did he become engaged again at Gleneagles last weekend, but also he still remembers being denied victory at the venue 15 years ago.

Set to win the Scottish Open then and wearing a sweater with the Scottish flag on it, he lost out to an incredible finish by Australian Peter O'Malley of eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie, eagle.

Seven under for the last five holes. There has never been a better finish anywhere.