(North Berwick) Ludvig Åberg shot a second straight 6-under 64 at the Scottish Open, taking advantage of the fine conditions to move into the lead with four birdies in an eight-hole stretch at the halfway point.
Åberg is at 12 under and has a one-shot lead over Frenchman Antoine Rozner, who also shot 64. Rozner is hoping to extend his stay in Scotland. The top three finishers earn an invitation to the British Open at Royal Troon.
Rory McIlroy also finds himself in the thick of the action after three weeks off to recover from his collapse in the final round of the U.S. Open.
His play at the Renaissance club seemed to confirm that he had turned the page. McIlroy shot a 66 for the second day in a row, even though he missed a few birdie putts.
PHOTO MALCOLM MACKENZIE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rory McIlroy
“I feel like I should be leading with Ludvig, that I could have done a little better the last two days. But I still find myself in a good position,” McIlroy said. “I’m in the race again and that’s positive after the last three weeks.”
Åberg also let a few chances slip away, but the Swedish golfer rarely found himself in a bad position.
“I think I had a great game plan and I was able to execute the shots,” Åberg said. “I try not to force anything. You have to accept things when you play. You can just focus on your swing, hoping it gives you good opportunities. I think it’s going well so far.”
Sungjae Im (67) and Matteo Manassero (63) are two shots behind at 10 under. McIlroy is part of the large contingent at 9 under. Collin Morikawa (66) and Sahith Theegala (65) are also part of this group.
Canadians Corey Conners (67) and Mackenzie Hughes (66) are in the next group at minus-8.
Their compatriot Adam Hadwin (65) is six shots behind, while Nick Taylor (71) has slipped to 4 under after a first round of 65.
The other Canadian in contention, Aaron Cockerill, shot a 68 on Friday but is at minus-1, two shots on the wrong side of the cut for the weekend rounds.