Monty just off the pace

Colin Montgomerie fired a five-under-par 66 to lie three shots off the lead after the first round of the Caltex Singapore Masters today.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington and England's Warren Bennett shared the lead, both carding eight-under-par 63s to head the field by one.

Montgomerie made a blistering start with three birdies in his opening four holes. But the Scot was becalmed by a string of 10 consecutive pars.

"It was a great start but then it just stopped," said the former European No 1.