Colin Montgomerie was presented with a pair of lederhosen to mark his 48th birthday, but a perfect gift for him would be a place in next month's Open Championship.Yet time is fast running out for Montgomerie to take his place in that field after falling further behind the chasing pack at the midway point of the BMW International Open in Germany.
Montgomerie, who is in real danger of missing the Open for the first time since 1989, carded a 72 to remain two under par.
The former Ryder Cup captain still has two further opportunities to qualify for next month's third major of the year at Royal St George's.
But he would have to produce a top five finish at either the French or Scottish Opens in the next fortnight - and he has not had one of those for almost three years.
At least his latest round, which followed up an opening-day 70, was a big improvement on his last two starts having missed cuts at the Wales and Italian Opens.
But any chance of winning here in Munich now appear remote.
Henrik Stenson continues to lead from the front on ten under par, alongside South Africa's George Coetzee, even if the Swede couldn't repeat his sparkling first round score of 64 after shooting a 70.
It could have been so much better though for Stenson had he not bogeyed his last two holes.
He told Sky Sports: "It's never fun to finish with two bogeys, but you gain some, you lose some.
"I'm in a good position and I'm feeling very good for the rest of the weekend."
Spain's Pablo Larrazabal, who recorded a 67, is just one shot further back while a long list of contenders remain within striking distance to attack over the weekend.
Welshman Bradley Dredge and England's Simon Khan and Mark Foster and were among the big movers up the leaderboard and will fancy their chances of mounting a charge when they start the third round on eight under.
Home favourite Martin Kaymer, meanwhile, could still have a major say and he lies just four shots behind the joint leaders.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he explained: "I need to start making more puts.
"I think I have a good chance of winning here. I need to shoot another low score and then I will be in contention for the final day.
"I'm striking the ball well but I need to give myself more chances with my puts and then I will be right in the frame."
While one German was close to rediscovering his best form after a blip, another was reeling from a day to forget.
Veteran Bernhard Langer, who has been suffering with a thumb injury in his homeland, failed to make the cut at this event for the first time in 21 years after finishing 11 over par.
