Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie feel it is a just a matter of time before European golf is celebrating another major winner.

The Ryder Cup team-mates were among eight European players in the top 20 going into Saturday's third round of the US Open at Winged Foot, with Thomas Bjorn, Peter Hedblom and Henrik Stenson in a share of 21st.

Paul Lawrie was the last European to win a major in the Open championship at Carnoustie in 1999, while Tony Jacklin was the last to triumph in the US Open itself back in 1970.

But with Montgomerie just one shot off the lead, Kenneth Ferrie another shot behind and Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Phillip Archer, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ian Poulter all in contention, that depressing sequence could soon be at an end.

"European golf is coming strong again," said Harrington, who holed from 40ft for birdie on the 18th in his second-round 69.

"The '80s and '90s were incredibly strong and those guys are the role models for the guys coming out on Saturday.

"Nick Faldo would have had a tremendous influence on the guys coming out nowadays, the likes of Luke Donald and his age group.

"It is only a matter of a time before there will be some majors won again. I think once one player wins we might get a situation like we had in the '80s where we get a number of winners."

Montgomerie, who carded 17 pars and one bogey in his second-round 71, added: "I can't put my finger on why a European hasn't won this since Tony Jacklin. Pure coincidence that it hasn't happened I'm afraid.

"There's a few of us attempting to do that this week and I'm glad I'm one of them."

The 42-year-old Scot is one shot behind American Steve Stricker who holed two bunker shots in his 69 to be the only player under par at halfway.

Montgomerie will be in the final group for the first time since 1994, when he lost to Ernie Els in a play-off at Oakmont, and is in contention for the first time since 1997 when he finished second to Els again at Congressional.

"I've not competed here since 1997, that's nine years ago, and it's nice to get back in the frame," said the eight-time Order of Merit winner.

"That's the beauty of this game, you're never quite sure.

"I'm just glad I managed to hold on. We all think it could have been three shots better but it could have been three shots worse. A couple of 70s from here and you never know what can happen."

At one point, Ferrie threatened to break away from the field.

He birdied the first, seventh, ninth and 11th to move two shots clear of the field on three under par and although the 27-year-old from Ashington was unable to maintain his amazing form and ran up back-to-back double bogeys on 14 and 15, his round of 70 was enough for a share of third place alongside Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

A few weeks after becoming embroiled in a "gamesmanship" row with Paul McGinley at the Irish Open, Ferrie kept his temper in check.

"That's me on my best behaviour because my mam is watching at home. If I do anything wrong she'll be right on the phone," he said.

David Howell - three clear at four-under after 14 holes of his first round - slumped to a 78 but made the halfway cut.

Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey ran up a double bogey on the 18th for the second day. running in a 72 to leave him nine-over, right on the cut mark.

Luke Donald recovered from his opening 78 with a 69 to safely make the weekend, but Nick Dougherty, Oliver Wilson and Graeme Storm all missed out.