Goosen shoots 63 to take lead in Scottish Open

LUSS, Scotland — Retief Goosen came close to matching his course record at Loch Lomond, settling for an 8-under 63 Friday to build a two-shot lead over Adam Scott midway through the second round of the Scottish Open.

Goosen set the course record of 62 in 1997, although he would be far more interested in matching his performance from 2001, when he followed his first U.S. Open title with a victory at Loch Lomond.

He was at 11-under 131 as the late starters made their way along the shores of Loch Lomond on a spectacular summer day.

"The first nine holes, you felt like you could do something, but for six holes, I didn't do much," Goosen said.

He built momentum with birdies on the 16th and 18th, a pair of par 4s protected by water, then took off on the front nine, including an eagle on the par-5 third with a 4-iron into 20 feet.

Scott continued his resurgence, and even more pleasant than the weather was the sight of his name on a leaderboard. The 29-year-old Australian has been in miserable form this year until going off by himself to Queenwood Golf Club in London to sort out his game.

After opening with a 66, Scott didn't let a bad break that led to double bogey get in his way.

He was in the lead at 8 under until hitting into a bunker on the par-3 fifth, unaware that a small rock was behind his ball. The shot tumbled over the green and into deep rough, and he failed to get up-and-down.

Scott answered with three birdies over his final four holes for a 67.

"Two rounds in the 60s in a row, pretty good for me," Scott said. "It feels really good the way my game is at the moment. Coming back well after that fifth hole to finish strong was important in the scheme of the tournament. I'm very happy with the day."

Martin Kaymer (65) and Marcus Fraser (66) were at 8-under 134, followed by Nick Watney, one of several Americans who have come to Loch Lomond a week before the British Open at Turnberry. Watney had a 68.

"From what I hear, we have lucked out with the weather," said Watney, making his first trip to this course north of Glasgow.

Not so lucky was John Daly, who missed another cut in Europe. Daly opened with a 69 and was holding on until he took double bogey on both par 5s on the front nine, shot 75 and finished at 2-over 144.

Daly said the rib injury he suffered in France was not a big issue, and actually is feeling better.

"I play better when I'm hurt," he said.

What hurt him was landing in a divot on the third, and another on the 12th.

"Nothing is going right," he said. "I'm used to it."