Scottish Open 2015: Leaderboard Scores and Highlights from Friday

Daniel Brooks continued his excellent start to the 2015 Scottish Open as he shot 5-under to secure the lead on Friday.

Brooks hit an eagle and four birdies in an excellent round of golf, the only negative being a single bogey, which left him on 11-under.

The world No. 528 holds a three-shot lead over a chasing pack of six that includes Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell and Ryan Palmer.

Here's how the scoreboard is shaping up after Day 2:

Position	Player	Day 2 Score	Overall
1	Daniel Brooks	65	-11
T2	Johan Carlsson	67	-8
T2	Shane Lowry	66	-8
T2	Justin Rose	66	-8
T2	Matthew Nixon	67	-8
T2	Ryan Palmer	65	-8
T2	Graeme McDowell	66	-8
T8	Richard Finch	68	-7
T8	Rafa Cabrera-Bello	66	-7
T8	Emiliano Grillo	67	-7

Prior to making the cut in France last week, Brooks had endured a difficult spell on the golf course—that cut being his first since January having missed 13 in a row.

The Englishman looked revitalised after his 20th-placed finish last week though, as he hit a round 65.

After scoring an eagle on the second to get off to a phenomenal start, Brooks then bogeyed the fourth. The 28-year-old held his nerve to ensure the bogey was not a sign of him slipping though, making a birdie on the sixth to steady the ship.

Brooks took the lead on the 12th, duly converting an excellent approach shot:

He then finished in considerable style, birdieing the final two holes, the latter putted from 25 feet.

Brooks admitted his previous form was demoralising, but felt positive about his play in Gullane. Per the European Tour's official website, he said:

"

I played really solid and I’ve not missed many shots at all. 

[...]

It's hard to miss that many cuts. It does get you down. It only takes one good week out here and hopefully that's what I'll have.

I've been there, done it, hopefully can have a good weekend and see what happens.

"

Defending champion Justin Rose also had a productive day on the course, hitting 66 again to reach eight-under.

The European Tour's official Twitter feed highlighted Rose's consistently strong performances in the competition:

After a rocky start that saw Rose bogey the opening hole, five birdies on two, four, five, six and eight capped an excellent front nine.

The back nine was consistent if unspectacular, as the 34-year-old made nine consecutive pars.

Following the back nine, Rose believes he is only "running at 50 per cent," according to the European Tour's official website.

He added: "There are still a couple of loose shots that I am getting away with on this course that I wouldn't on other courses. But I feel like I have managed my game well, played the hard holes well and kept it clean.

Phil Mickelson looked to be in some trouble as he made two consecutive bogeys at the 11th and 12th, but the five-time major winner responded with typical class as he made birdies on 14, 15 and 16 to ensure he just made the cut on three-under.

Ryan Palmer carded five-under on Day 2 to move up 17 places on the scoreboard.

The 38-year-old hit four birdies on the front nine and two on the back, a bogey on the ninth his only fault of the day.

Overall, Brooks is proving to be in excellent form in Gullane, and will hope to improve his score on Saturday ahead of the crucial final day.

However, with a six-strong chasing pack on eight-under and five on seven-under, there's a strong chance the likes of Rose or Palmer could catch him.

It's set to be a fascinating weekend in Scotland as Brooks tries to hang on.