Colin Montgomerie of Scotland overcame 95-degree heat and high humidity to shoot even-par 71 and maintain a one-stroke lead over Scott Dunlap after two rounds of the U.S. Senior Open at Oak Tree National in Edmond, Okla.
Montgomerie, who held the first-round lead with a 65, had two bogeys in the first six holes before righting the ship with a birdie at No. 7. He reeled off nine consecutive pars until he regained sole possession of the lead with a birdie at No. 17.
“It’s not easy to repeat a good round as yesterday’s was, but this was as good, to be honest,” said Monty, who claimed his first major title in the Senior PGA Championship in May.
“Seventy-one out there was a good effort. Breezy conditions, windier than it was yesterday, warmer and with the pack coming at you–it’s never easy.”
Dunlap, whose two biggest victories came on what is now the Web.com Tour, followed his opening 69 with a bogey-free 68, carding his three birdies in a span of five holes through No. 7.
Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer of Germany overcame four bogeys to shoot a second straight 69 and was two shots back in a tie for third with Gene Sauers, who had an eagle on the seventh hole while also carding a second 69.
Doug Garwood of Valencia and Fresno State also recorded a 69 and was another stroke back in a tie for fifth with Jeff Sluman (69), Lance Ten Broeck (69) and Mark Brooks (71).
Vijay Singh of Fiji, playing in his first Champions Tour major after winning three Grand Slam events on the PGA Tour, had a 71 and was four shots behind in solo ninth.
