Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie shot his best round since June at the Castello Masters to lie six shots off the lead after round three in Spain.

Montgomerie fired a 64 in Spain – his best since carding a 63 at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor over four months ago – as Sweden’s Michael Jonzon took a one shot lead.

And the Scot – who has plunged to 254th in the world after a torrid year to date – was in an optimistic mood after his round.

“I've gone back to a short putter and am putting much better,” said Montgomerie. “But this year has been one to write off. I need to go and get my game sorted out – my irons are not accurate enough.”

Meanwhile at the Frys.com Open in Arizona fellow Scot Martin Larid finished nine under on the penultimate round as American Troy Matteson took a three-shot lead with a second straight 61.

Laird – who won his maiden PGA Tour title in Las Vegas last week – put Friday’s below-par 72 behind him and made the cut with ease with a 62 to lie 16th.