Golf: Mine a treble Scots, says Ernie

World number three Ernie Els kept alive his hopes of an unprecedented third Scottish Open title by firing a five-under-par 66 in the second round as New Zealand's Stephen Scahill missed the cut.

The 35-year-old South African, building up for next week's British Open, reeled off five birdies in glorious afternoon sunshine at Loch Lomond to finish six strokes behind surprise leader Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands.

Lafeber shot a best-of-the-week 63 for a total of 12-under 130. Argentina's Angel Cabrera, first round co-leader after an opening 64, was second on 131 following a 67.

"That was a good round of golf," Els said. "I didn't hit it in any trouble and I managed to get the ball up and down when I needed to.

"I've got to shoot low over the weekend if the weather stays like this, but the way I'm playing, I can do it," added the three-times major winner, who triumphed here in 2000 and 2003.

Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke, who birdied the last four holes for a 65, was tied for third at 10 under, level with fellow Britons Alastair Forsyth (64) and Jonathan Lomas (65).

Lafeber, Dutch Open champion in 2003, paid tribute to Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout - who worked with New Zealand's US Open champion Michael Campbell last year - after he restored his confidence on the eve of the tournament.

"I saw Jos on Wednesday afternoon and told him I had played solid all year but that the mental side was really letting me down," said Lafeber.

He can book a place at next week's Open at St Andrews by finishing as the highest non-exempt player here.

"He started working with me and I got positive really quick. Yesterday and this morning I felt really comfortable, so it's paying off," added the Dutchman, who produced eight birdies in a flawless second-round display.

Clarke, joint-fourth at the European Open in Ireland on Sunday after taking a month off to be with his wife Heather, who is fighting cancer, said his putting had rescued a poor ball-striking round.

"I'm scoring very well but my ball-striking is not very good," added the 36-year-old. "Having 22 putts helps, though."

World number four Phil Mickelson failed to take advantage of the near-perfect conditions, returning a 72 to finish ninestrokes off the pace at three-under 139.

Seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie carded a 69 to finish at five under, while double US Open winner Retief Goosen, who had battled to an opening 71, improved with a 67. The halfway cut came at two-under, 140.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY