Clarke and Daly unlikely leaders at Scottish Open
Published:Ryder Cup veteran Darren Clarke is out in front at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, after following up his first-round 65 with a -2 second round so far.
In a fast changing field 41-year-old Clarke is at -8 after 11 holes, one shot ahead of Swede Peter Hedblom, who has finished the 13th and is on course for a -3 round.
The Dungannon man has slipped to 179th in the world and with The Open at St Andrews starting next week, needs a victory here to ensure he qualifies for the third major of the year. That’s a 3/1 shot.
John Daly’s place at the top is an even unlikelier story. He’s tied for third at -6 after 15 holes of his second round.
The two-time major champion is now ranked at 499th in the world and relied on a tournament organiser’s invitation to book a place at Loch Lomond.
The 44-year-old Californian won the 1995 Open at St Andrews and could be inspired to win the £500,000 first prize here, given his well-documented money troubles. He is 80/1 to finish first.
Phil Mickelson is having a nightmare round, however. The world number two has a chance to go to number one if he finishes at least runner-up at the Scottish Open, but is +5 after 11 holes, following a quintuple-bogey nine at the par-four 18th.
The 40-year-old American is in serious danger of missing the cut, which is currently at +1. He has justifiably slipped to 100/1 to win the event.
Peter Hedblom is 226th in the world but in second place on seven under could be worth a bet to win the Scottish Open at 16/1. See the full Barclays Scottish Open betting market.
