Italian and Swede share mid-point Scottish Open lead

ITALIAN Francesco Molinari has been joined at the top of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open leaderboard by Sweden’s Alexander Noren at the mid-point of the competition at Castle Stuart.

They are both on 12 under par – holding a one shot advantage over the nearest rivals Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez and Italian Matteo Manassero.

Molinari was the leader after the first round when he shot a course record 62, but followed it up with a 70 this afternoon.

Defending champion and world number one Luke Donald is further off the pace at nine under par.

Scotsman Peter Whiteford hit a hole in one on the 11 and is among a group of Scots to survive the cut, which was at four under par.

This meant Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie and Scott Jamieson are among those who will not compete at the event over the weekend.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.