Colin Montgomerie’s loss could be Francesco Molinari’s winning gain after two rounds of the BMW Italian Open in Turin.

Monty was sacked last fortnight by caddy Jason Hempleman who’d been on the Scot’s bag for three years.

But while Monty seeks to win for a first time in many years, Hempleman is helping steer the Italian Ryder Cup star towards a possible second BMW Italian Open title success.

Molinari added a 68 to move to 10-under par and a share of fourth place and just two strokes from the lead on a rain-softened Royal Park course where he grew up.

The Italian broke through to capture his first Race to Dubai title in winning the 2006 Italian Open at Milan.

Late last year, he captured the WGC – HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

And now with Monty’s former caddy calling the shots, the London-based Molinari is looking to win a second national Open before jetting off to next week’s U.S. Open.

“It’s the second week Jason and I are together and I am happy the way we are working together,” said Molinari.

“So I am hoping it will be a long relationship.

“I fired the caddie I had before, and when you fire a caddie other caddies hear the bag is free, and they approach you.

“I had a few asking me if they could work with me but I played a few rounds with Jason when he was caddying for Monty, and I liked the way he was caddying.

“He’s a very nice guy and very professional so caddying for Monty was nice training.

“But then I have to warn Jason that I can get grumpy a little bit on the golf course, maybe not as much as Colin.”

Monty was spotted heading to the practice putting green ahead of his round with three putters under his arm.

But after carding a 70 he missed the three under par halfway cut by four shots with a one over par tally.

It’s the second week in a row Monty’s sat out the weekend rounds.