Darren Clarke moves three shots clear - Barclays Scottish Open 2006

Darren Clarke, yet to taste victory this season, opened up a three-stroke lead after packing seven birdies in a six-under-par 65 in the second round of the Scottish Open on Friday.

The 37-year-old Briton finished 11-under on 131, three ahead of South African Charl Schwartzel, Swede Johan Edfors and Irishman Damien McGrane on another benign day at Loch Lomond. Clarke has not finished higher than third in Europe this season, a result he achieved at the Irish Open in May.

The Northern Irishman played flawlessly on the front nine on Friday, picking up birdies at the third, sixth and ninth in ideal scoring conditions.

Clarke then made amends for a dropped shot at the 11th by birdying the 10th, 14th, 15th and 17th.

"I hit it really nicely today and gave myself an awful lot of (birdie) chances," he told reporters.

"I had a lot of putts from the 10 to 12 feet range for birdies and unfortunately missed a few. But, overall, six-under is pretty good."

Earlier, Schwartzel maintained a South African tradition for excellence at this event.

The 21-year-old raced home in 30 shots to fire a 66 in the final tournament in Europe ahead of next week's British Open at Hoylake.

Schwartzel, the second youngest South African to earn full membership of the European Tour after Dale Hayes, began his round in sedate fashion before his putter caught fire and he birdied the 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th.

Edfors, tied for the lead with Briton David Drysdale overnight, had five birdies and three bogeys in his 69. McGrane returned a 66.

South African Tim Clark is defending the title this week while compatriot Ernie Els won here in 2000 and 2003 and Retief Goosen emerged triumphant in 2001.

"The golf course is a lot like courses we have back home," said Schwartzel.

"It has quite wide fairways and I think it suits us. I love it, I think it's a great course."

Briton Jamie Donaldson (67), one of Schwartzel's playing partners, was on seven-under 135 alongside Drysdale (70).

Clark was six-under together with Britons Lee Westwood and Raymond Russell, Argentina's Andres Romero, Gregory Havret of France and Dane Thomas Bjorn.

Romero carded a seven-under 64 after a purple patch in mid-round where he captured nine birdies in 11 holes, including six in a row from the fifth.

"It was obviously possible for a 60 or 59 but I got a bit nervous over the drive on 16 and dropped a shot there and another at 17," said the 25-year-old Argentine, no relation to 2002 Scottish Open winner Eduardo.

Home favourite Colin Montgomerie burst out of the blocks with two birdies and an eagle in his first three holes as he carded a 66 for 138.

American veteran Hale Irwin, 61, followed his opening three-under 68 with a one-over 72.

Scot Sam Torrance, 52, making a record 700th tour appearance, missed the cut on 152, 10 over.