Colin Montgomerie misses out on Congressional return

Colin Montgomerie failed to qualify yesterday for a return to the US Open at Congressional - the course where he was runner-up to Ernie Els in 1997.

Boosted by his seventh place in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth - his first top-ten finish for almost three years - Montgomerie managed only a one-over-par total of 145 in the 36-hole event at Walton Heath.

Now he will have to be content with a television commentating role rather than a playing one in Washington in two weeks' time.

There were only 11 qualifying spots on offer for the 82-strong field, but although the tournament was heading into a second day because of a fog delay of almost three-and-a-half hours at the start, last year's Ryder Cup captain knew his fate.

"If you don't enter you can't win - I gave it a go," said the Scot after following an opening 72 with a second-round 73 played mostly in rain. "That's hard work - it was miserable out there."

Still in with a chance at level par with two par-5s to come, the 47-year-old, back up from 462nd in the world to 305th with his efforts in the European Tour's flagship event, failed to birdie either the 14th and 16th and in between had one of seven three-putts during the day.

Also out on one-over went Ross Fisher, but two years after finishing fifth in the US Open he still has a chance of making it. Fisher stands 52nd in the world and the top 50 at the end of next week receive invitations.

Former Irish Open champion Shane Lowry - he won that as an amateur two years ago - comfortably made it through on eight-under after rounds of 69 and 67. Former Scottish Open winner Thomas Levet finished just a stroke behind Lowry.

In Wales, Sweden's Caroline Hedwall capped a great 24 hours when she won the inaugural nine-hole PowerPlay event at Celtic Manor. The 25-year-old - a winner on the Ladies European Tour in Slovakia on Sunday - birdied the last to finish five-under and claim the 100,000 top prize.

Helen Alfredsson finished second, with Paula Creamer and Ian Poulter tied for third.

With two flags on each green, a harder black flag allowed each player a limited number of chances to score extra Stableford points in the televised event in Newport.

Two more PowerPlay events are scheduled for this year in the United States and Asia, and a further seven will be played next year.

The concept was devised by former British Amateur champion and twice winning Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy.