Richie Ramsay made a flying start to lead the BMW Italian Open in Turin but fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie struggled.

The 25-year-old, who has yet to register a top-20 finish on the European Tour, raced to the turn in just 31 but slipped back to post a
four-under-par 67, one ahead of a group of five players.

Montgomerie was five behind after hitting two balls into water and although a 72 was nine strokes better than his second round at last week's Spanish Open — a score which matched his worst in Europe in the last five years — he was far from happy.

“There's no excuse for scoring over par,” said the Ryder Cup captain. “I duffed a six-iron on the 12th and did the same on five. Things have got to change rapidly.”

Asked if he had enjoyed playing the last four in two under, he said: “I'm not enjoying any holes right now. I'm down the rankings and it's terrible.”