WORLD number one Jon Rahm continued his imperious form as he moved into a share of the lead after a six-under-par second round at the halfway stage of the abrdn Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club today (Friday).
The Spaniard, who won his maiden Major Championship three weeks ago at the US Open, made the turn in just 29 strokes with six birdies on his front nine and recovered from dropped shots on the second and fourth holes with two further gains as he signed for an 11-under-par total at the course, near Dirleton.
Rahm shares the 36-hole lead with Belgian Thomas Detry, who has four runner-up finishes on the European Tour, including the Porsche European Open last month, and England's Jack Senior, also chasing a maiden victory.
Reigning Race to Dubai number one Lee Westwood shares fourth with fellow Englishman and two-time Rolex Series winner Matt Fitzpatrick, as well as South African George Coetzee, who are one stroke behind the leaders on 10-under-par.
Two strokes further back in a share of eighth place are former world number one Justin Thomas, 12-time European Tour winner Ian Poulter, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros - who is seeking an eighth European Tour win - and the leading Scotsman, David Law.
East Lothian’s Grant Forrest (pictured below) has made the cut, following up his four-under opening round of 67 yesterday with a one-under 70 today to sit at tied-23rd on five-under.
That puts him two shots ahead of defending champion Aaron Rai of England, who nevertheless made the cut thanks to an improved showing of three-under today.
However, Northern Irish superstar Rory McIlroy – who earlier was involved in a bizarre incident when a spectator took one of his clubs – missed the cut by one shot after a par 71 today put him at one-under overall, one shot behind where he needed to be to make the weekend’s play.
Also missing the cut was East Lothian’s other hopeful David Drysdale, who followed up yesterday’s one-over 72 with a difficult round of 78 today, putting him at eight-over overall and tied for 148th.
Action continues tomorrow before the final day's play on Sunday.
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