Six years after beating Tiger Woods head-to-head, England's Robert Rock achieved another personal milestone to claim the halfway lead in the Scottish Open.
Rock added a second round of 63 to his opening 64 at a defenceless Gullane for a halfway total of 13 under par and two-shot lead over Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden's Jens Dantorp, with Eddie Pepperell and 2015 champion Rickie Fowler another stroke back.
Lee Westwood was part of a four-strong group on nine under, with former Masters champion Trevor Immelman on eight under par alongside first-round leader Luke List.
Rock, 41, has not dropped a shot over the first 36 holes for the first time in his career and is in pole position to secure one of the three qualifying places on offer for next week's Open Championship, although he will be in Carnoustie anyway in his role as coach to a number of fellow players.
"I've started well in a few tournaments recently but it's all about putting four rounds together and that's the challenge," said Rock, whose last European Tour title came in Abu Dhabi in 2012, where he played the final round alongside Woods and outscored the then world No.1 by two, with Rory McIlroy finishing runner-up and Woods in a tie for third.
"Getting into the Open is everything, but you have to focus on this event first and play the course here before that," he said.
"I hate missing the Open. I'll be there whatever happens as a coach but it's hard going just as a coach and not playing."
Scotland's Connor Syme set a new course record of 62 early in the day which was later broken by Japan's Hideto Tanihara, who recorded an eagle and seven birdies in his first 15 holes to threaten the first 59 in European Tour history before eventually signing for a 61.
In contrast, five-time major winner Phil Mickelson missed the cut after finishing one under par.
"I have some work to do on my game," Mickelson said.
"I didn't play great. Now I'll have a couple of extra days to go over to Carnoustie and try to get it done."
