SERGIO GARCIA mustered some of the form he displayed at the recent US Open to move right into contention at the BMW International Open in Germany on Saturday.

The Spaniard started his day six shots adrift of the leaders but collected an incredible seven birdies in 13 holes to claim a share of second, two strokes behind tournament leader Mark Foster. Garcia needs to finish in the top four to secure a place at next month’s Open Championship.

“Last week was good,” he told reporters afterwards. “It was nice to be up there in a Major again (at Congressional). I didn’t have a chance to win because Rory (McIlroy) was playing out of his mind but it feels like my game is coming along.”

A round of 66 – including seven birdies and one bogey – saw Foster surge ahead of the chasing pack in Munich, a group that also includes one of Friday’s overnight leaders, George Coetzee, along with Robert Coles, Retief Goosen and Pablo Larrazabal.

Colin Montgomerie’s 68 gave his hopes of qualifying for the Open a boost – but little more – as he still languishes in a tie for 23rd along with best of the Irish representatives, Peter Lawrie.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s forgotten Major winner, Pádraig Harrington, sank two birdies in his final four holes at the rain-interrupted Travelers Championship in the US to make the tournament’s cut. The Dubliner was nine shots behind amateur Patrick Cantlay, who leads the way in Cromwell on -13, before the start of play in the third round.