Bjorn stays in front

The Dane edged to 12 under after a 68 in sweltering conditions but he fell out with playing partner Montgomerie.

Bjorn felt the Scot was disturbing him as he tried to chip on the 7th and the bad feeling continued in the clubhouse.

"They had some differences and they have been resolved. They have shaken hands on it," said tournament director Miguel Vidaor.

Bjorn, who took a bogey at the 7th hole, their 16th after starting from the 10th, admitted there was blame on both sides.

"I know you really want to hear what that was all about, but I'm sorry - this is staying between me and Monty and the European Tour," he said.

We've both got our tempers and we both want to play well Thomas Bjorn

"I have the utmost respect for Monty and things happen once in a while on a golf course where players that are as competitive as we are have a difference in opinion on some things.

"We are as good friends as we were before we went out and we will always be good friends. But it stays between us.

"I did some things wrong and Colin did some things wrong. You know us well enough that we've both got our tempers and we both want to play well."

The pair were involved in another incident at the Volvo Masters at Valderrama last November, the day after new rules on golfing etiquette had been announced.

Montgomerie stormed off a green after missing a putt and angrily threw his ball onto a path as Bjorn waved him goodbye.

And in the Seve Trophy, also in November, Padraig Harrington and Jose Maria Olazabal - two European Ryder Cup team-mates - fell out and went off for "clear-the-air" private talks once they had finished their round together.