Scottish Open:Adam Scott remained on an upward curve by carding a second round 67 for an early lead at the Scottish Open in Loch Lomond today. However, on a morning of low scoring he was soon surpassed by Retief Goosen who shot a fine 63 to hold the overnight lead on 11-under at the halfway stage.

Scott has been struggling for form of late but opened with a 66 yesterday and today a double bogey at the par three fifth was cancelled-out by six birdies in a 67 as he goes into tomorrow’s third round two off Goosen’s lead.

German Martin Kaymer, last week’s winner of the French Open, was one adrift of Scott after a 65 saw him move alongside the latter's compatriot Marcus Fraser, who shot 66 to be tied third on eight-under.

None of the Irish contingent managed to take advantage of the relatively benign conditions, least of all Paul McGinley, but the Dubliner still remains the leading home player after a level par 71 kept him on six-under after yesterday’s opening 65.

That left him two ahead of his close friend and former Ryder Cup team-mate Darren Clarke, who shot 69 for the second successive day.

Rory McIlroy was another who failed to make up any ground as a 71 left the 20-year-old stuck on three-under, the same mark as Damien McGrane, who advanced up the field with a 68.

Irish Open champion Shane Lowry made his second cut on tour in as many weeks after he too shot 71 to remain two-under and safely inside the cut mark which fell at level par.

Defending champion Graeme was one of those players living dangerously and just made it into the weekend after his 72 left the Portrush pro on the cut mark. He is unlikely to successfully defend from this position but the weekend will be important in terms of further preparation for next week’s British Open at Turnberry.

Peter Lawrie (70) and Gareth Maybin (73) were both one shot outside the cut, while Gary Murphy (72) missed by two. Michael Hoey

Goosen started with a bogey but then took the opportunity to seize top spot quite brilliantly on the course he shot a course record 62 in 1997, four years prior to winning the title.

Three birdies took the South African to the turn in 32. After starting for home with another, he eagled the long third, birdied the next - and after dropping his only stroke on the fifth, came back with two more birdies.

"When I shot the course record I bogeyed the first and yesterday I bogeyed the first," he added. "But I do like it here - it's fairly generous off the tee and I'm not one of the straightest hitters."

Lee Westwood's participation had looked in doubt after he struggled to a 73 suffering from a chest infection yesterday, but he rallied with a 66 today to join Lowry on two-under.

Colin Montgomerie squeezed in on the cut mark after closing with four successive birdies for a 69.