Colin Montgomerie boosted his Ryder Cup wildcard hopes with a three-under-par 70 in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles today.

While Justin Rose and Soren Hansen took more strides towards securing automatic places on Nick Faldo's team, Montgomerie moved up from 37th overnight into a share of 10th spot midway through the second round.

The Scot, a member of the last eight Ryder Cup teams, has no idea whether being in contention or even winning on Sunday would sway Faldo's thinking.

He said: "It's a very difficult decision, not as clear-cut as it has been in previous years, but I am sure Nick will make the right one.

"I have to show form to have an opportunity. I don't think I necessarily have to win." Darren Clarke is favourite for one pick and he reached halfway on one under after a level-par 73 today.

Rose, eighth on the points table and almost certain of a Ryder Cup debut, returned a 71 to be two under overall.

Ninth-placed Hansen handed in a second successive 71 to be in a share of fourth place on four under, one behind Bradley Dredge, Robert Rock and overnight leader Gregory Havret.

But Hansen has been nursing a sore right arm and he clearly felt it playing out of the rough on the long 12th.