Hole-in-one for Monty

Colin Montgomerie hits a hole-in-one in the third round of the BMW International Open to extend his European Tour record to nine.

Colin Montgomerie hit a hole-in-one in the third round of the BMW International Open yesterday to extend his European Tour record to nine. The European Ryder Cup captain hit an eight-iron to ace the 156-yard long eighth hole at the Golfclub Munchen Eichenried. He has now made two more holes-in-one than Eamonn Darcy of Ireland. Montgomerie was still eight shots behind the leader Retief Goosen of South Africa, who had not started his third round.

Meanwhile, Kenny Perry claimed to be still enjoying his game despite struggling with the pace of the greens at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell. "I hit a lot more quality, longer irons today," the 48-year-old said. "It was fun out there. I had control of the ball and hit it nice but just couldn't get the speed [on the greens]." The American, who had a two-shot lead during a weather-hit second round on Friday, said he was playing well.

"I hit 16 greens and didn't miss a fairway but I had 32 putts. I had 25 yesterday so that's seven strokes. I'm in good shape though and happy with the round," he added. Perry, beaten in a three-way play-off at this year's US Masters, started at the 10th hole and mixed three birdies with his first bogey of the week, at the par-four 14th, to reach the turn in two-under 33 before parring the last nine.

Ryo Ishikawa, of Japan, opened up a three-shot lead going into the final day of the Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic after carding a four-under 68 in the third round yesterday. Ishikawa, 17, reached 14-under 202 with a round of five birdies and a solitary bogey at the 10th hole. The former US President Dwight D Eisenhower, instrumental in popularising golf, has been voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2009. Eisenhower was selected in the Lifetime Achievement Category.