Unheralded American Chris Gotterup equalled the course document on the Renaissance Membership with a 61 to surge into the lead on the Scottish Open, as Rory McIlroy additionally shot up the leaderboard on Friday.
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Gotterup’s nine-under par spherical took him to 11 below for the match on the midway stage and opened up a two-shot lead over England’s Harry Corridor.
The world quantity 158 outshone a bunch of the game’s star names in north Berwick, who’re gearing up for subsequent week’s British Open at Royal Portrush.
Aussie duo Adam Scott and Elvis Smylie will each characteristic over the weekend after making the reduce.
Smylie, 23, impressed with a 3 below par 67 within the first spherical earlier than taking pictures a 71 on Friday. His total rating of two below was nonetheless sufficient to simply sneak previous the reduce line.
Scott, who completed runner up on this occasion final 12 months, shot a two below par 68 to maneuver to a few below for the match, eight pictures behind the chief.
Gotterup hit 9 birdies because the unusually sunny and nonetheless circumstances on Scotland’s east coast made for an additional day of low scoring.
“I’ll take a 9 below any day,” mentioned Gotterup.
“Comparatively stress-free for essentially the most half and that’s at all times good round right here.”
McIlroy confirmed encouraging indicators of coming into type forward of his homecoming to Northern Eire subsequent week.
The Masters champion was 5 below for the day by way of seven holes earlier than taking part in the ultimate 11 in degree par to complete at seven below par.
“Received off to a flyer. The circumstances had been so benign this morning, hardly any wind, then the wind began to choose up somewhat bit however nonetheless very manageable,” mentioned McIlroy.
“General a very good rating and places me within the thick of issues going into the weekend.” British Open champion Xander Schauffele hit a 66 to maneuver to 6 below after two rounds.
Matt Fitzpatrick may do his case for Ryder Cup choice in September a giant favour this week.
The previous US Open champion has had a troublesome 12 months that has seen him slip to 77 on the planet rankings.
Fitzpatrick appeared extra like his previous self in a spherical of 63 to climb to eight below par.