CASTLE STUART – Francesco Molinari is heading to next week's British Open in the best possible form after continuing to lead the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart course near Inverness. Molinari added a five-under par 67 in continuing calm conditions and move to 17-under par and one clear of his rivals. Less than a week ago, the victorious 2010 Ryder Cup winning star, shot a blistering final round 64 to snare second place in the French Open in Versailles. Now the 29-year-old, London-based Italian is set to go one better and also join his older brother, Edoardo as winner of the premier Scottish title. Molinari earlier this year captured his third Tour victory in winning the Spanish Open. Denmark's Anders Hansen carded a seven under par 65 to move into second place on 16-under par and one clear of compatriot Soren Kjeldsen and Scotland's Marc Warren, who were among three players to post 64s. And four-time Major winning Phil Mickelson continues to improve heading to next week's British Open with the visiting American adding a 65 to be sharing fifth place with three others on 14-under par. Luke Donald, the defending champion, carded a third day 68, to be among those tied in ninth place at 13-under par.
Matteson clings to lead
American Troy Matteson followed a blistering opening round with a less spectacular but solid second day carding a three-under 68 Friday to hold a one-shot lead at the midway point of the John Deere Classic in silvis, Illinois. Matteson, who posted a flawless 10-under 61 to open the tournament, turned in another polished effort on the TPC Deere Run layout mixing four birdies with his only bogey through two rounds for a two-day total of 13-under 129. “If you told me I was going to get 13-under after two rounds I would have taken it and not even teed it up,” Matteson told reporters. “It was tough today. “When I came out I was a little bit more apprehensive after shooting a low one yesterday and obviously I wanted to put a low one out there today.” Lurking one shot back are compatriots Brian Harman (65) and Jeff Maggert who charged up the leaderboard with an error-free nine-under 62 that included five birdies over his last nine holes to get to 12-under 130. Two behind the leader are Briton Gary Christian (66) and Americans J.J. Henry (64), Robert Garrigus (66) and Ricky Barnes (67), who missed a chance to join Maggert with a bogey at his final hole of the day the par four ninth. Champion Steve Stricker, who is looking to become just the fifth men's player to win the same tournament in four consecutive years, sits one shot further adrift at 10-under after signing for a four-under 67. Fan favorite John Daly, who was coming off a solid tie for 12th at the Greenbrier Classic, failed to make the weekend missing the four-under cut by two strokes. — Agencies
