Montgomerie being roared on to beat the Tiger

Colin Montgomerie admitted he is in "new territory" by leading the British Open for a second day.

But the 38-year-old Briton firmly believes he can clinch his maiden major with the help of Royal Lytham's huge and enthusiastic gallery.

"It's quite unbelievable - absolutely fantastic," said Montgomerie after a see-saw round of one-under-par 70 which took him to seven-under-par 135, a stroke ahead of Sweden's Pierre Fulke, with danger man Jesper Parnevik two behind and defending champion Tiger Woods four strokes back.

"The crowd was cheering so loudly and I hope they come out in their thousands again at the weekend and support me because they've certainly helped me cope.

"I've never had this before anywhere in the world. They possibly feel I should have won a major in my career because I've done everything else and see this as a golden opportunity for me."

Montgomerie sandwiched in three birdies in between two bogeys as he again saved well to reduce damage on occasional wayward shots and produced delightful ironplay and solid putting to maintain his lead.

He had to take his punishment on the third after driving behind a tree to bogey but kept ahead of the game with a 10ft putt for one birdie and two stunning approaches for his other two.

A drive into a bunker on the 15th meant another dropped shot and Montgomerie soured his day slightly by missing a five-footer for birdie on the last, but the Scot is delighted to be mounting his first realistic British Open challenge in 14 attempts.

NEW TERRITORY

"I'm experienced but this is all new territory for me. I've obviously won my orders of merit and I've been up there in other majors but this is different ground.

"But I'm keeping my emotions intact and feel quite confident at this stage."

Montgomerie believes that mental strength will be needed to carry him through as well as the home crowd.

And he thinks he knows who his rivals will be. "Jesper Parnevik is my best challenger and of course you can't discount Tiger, especially with two rounds still to go.

"I'm happy he's behind but I'll be happier still if he's behind on Sunday night!

"Of course we all have to keep an eye on Tiger because he's the best player in the world by some margin, he's at ease where he is as the defending champion and he's got nothing to prove.

"Thank God he's on three-under and not four-under, though!"

Fulke missed a similar putt to Montgomerie on the last to deny himself a share of the lead as the runner-up in the Accenture World Golf Championship Matchplay earlier in the year at last returned to form with a 67.

With Parnevik, who carded 68 to try to make it third time lucky after twice finishing second in the British Open, in third place two shots behind, are American Joe Ogilvie and another Briton, Greg Owen.

Woods also shot 68 for 139 and is sure to put pressure on everybody over the weekend as he tries to make it five majors in six starts.