Alex Noren of Sweden rolled in five birdies in his last eight holes to shoot a six-under-par 66 and take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Scottish Open.
Joint overnight leader Scott Hend slipped to two-under, six shots off the pace.
On a day of lower scoring around the Castle Stuart links, Danny Lee of New Zealand (66) and Eddie Pepperell of England (67) were a shot behind Noren, who carded an 8-under 136.
Lee is only playing the Scottish Open after the PGA Tour cancelled this week's Greenbrier Classic because of flooding in West Virginia.
Lee is defending champion at the Greenbrier and is donating money for every birdie and eagle he makes to the flood-relief efforts.
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Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson, two of the top names in the field, made the cut after shooting rounds of 69 but were nine shots off the lead.
Matteo Manassero and Branden Grace (both 67) were in a four-way tie for fourth on 6-under overall.
Winds were lighter after a blustery first round in northern Scotland and Noren found his form with the putter after starting on the back nine with five birdies.
Noren didn't drop a shot and has just one bogey in two rounds.
"I just kind of worked on my swing, and you're messing around and all of a sudden I got a little bit better strike," said Noren, who has already qualified for the British Open at Royal Troon next week.
"Played steady on the front nine, and then you know, my last nine holes, I really got it going."
