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Goosen maintains lead

Retief Goosen managed a two-under 69 on Friday to remain atop the leaderboard at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. The U.S. Open champion holds a two-shot lead over Adam Scott, who turned in a 68 to move to nine-under 133.

Goosen, whose opening round of 62 Thursday tied the course record he established in 1997, posted a two-day total of 11-under-par 131 to equal the 36-hole mark set by Tom Lehman in 1997 and matched by Jesper Parnevik in 1999.

Goosen began the day at the 10th hole looking to add to his lead. With birdies on the 13th, 14th and 16th holes he seemed ready to pull away but he dropped a shot at the fifth and finished his round with pars.

Goosen noted how the course had been affected by the elements.

"The first nine holes were perfect, the weather was fairly warm and calm," said the 32-year-old South African. "But the back nine got a little breezy and cold and the greens were very difficult to read -- all the spike and heel marks made putting very difficult. "I missed a couple of chances because it was difficult to get the feel but that is what happens when you are out so late. But the fact that I continued to give myself chances was pleasing and so overall I am happy with the way I played. I am looking forward to getting back to a normal time to play golf tomorrow!"

Two shots off the lead was Scott who finished the suspended first round with a 65 in the morning before carding 68 in the second round. The highlight of the Australian's run began at the 16th where he would notch the first of three consecutive birdies.

Like Goosen, Scott started his round at the 10th hole. At 16 his four-iron approach found the center of the green where he would make birdie three. At the par-three 17th he rolled in a 20-footer for another birdie.

Scott credited his play to his observation of some of the veteran players on the tour. "Watching Monty and how he played coming down the stretch at the Irish Open was interesting and I picked up a few pointers from that."

Three players stood four strokes off the lead. Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley of Ireland each carded 67s while Barry Lane posted a 65 to move to seven-under par. The Englishman carded five birdies and an eagle for a phenomenal round despite dropping a shot at the 18th.

"I'm enjoying my golf," said Lane. "I've got my old caddie Gary Tilston back after four years and I'm very relaxed. We joined up together at the Deutsche Bank tournament in May and together we know what it is all about. I'm also swinging it well and that's the key."

Darren Clarke, last week's European Open winner, shot 67 and is five strokes off the lead at six-under par alongside Lehman (66), John Daly (68) and Greg Chalmers (66).

Six players stand at five-under par including 1999 winner Colin Montgomerie, who turned in a round of 67.

1998 Loch Lomond champ Lee Westwood missed the cut, which fell at one-over-par 143, after carding his second consecutive round of 72 to finish 36 holes at two-over.

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