LOMOND, Scotland, 9 July 2005 — World No. 3 Ernie Els fired a five-under-par 66 to move into contention for an unprecedented third Scottish Open title in yesterday’s second round.

South African Els reeled off five birdies in glorious afternoon sunshine at Loch Lomond to finish six strokes behind surprise early leader Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands.

Lafeber shot a best-of-the-week 63 for a total of 12-under 130. Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, co-leader overnight after an opening 64, was second on 131 following a 67.

Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke, who birdied the last four holes for a 65, was tied for third at 10 under, level with fellow Briton Alastair Forsyth, after a nine-birdie 64.

South African Richard Sterne carded a 68 to share fifth place at nine under alongside Greg Owen (66). Former European No. 1 Lee Westwood (69) was a further shot back, together with fellow Briton Simon Khan (67).

Among the late starters, Britain’s Gary Orr was 10 under with one hole to play and Stuart Little eight under with three remaining.

Lafeber, Dutch Open champion in 2003, paid tribute to Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout after he restored his confidence on the eve of the tournament.

“I saw Jos on Wednesday afternoon and told him I had played solid all year but that the mental side was really letting me down,” Lafeber told reporters.

“He started working with me and I got positive really quick. Yesterday and this morning, I played and felt really comfortable, so it’s paying off very quickly,” added the Dutchman, who produced eight birdies in a flawless second-round display.

Clarke, joint-fourth at the European Open in Ireland on Sunday after taking a month off to be with his wife Heather who is fighting cancer, said his putting had rescued a poor ball-striking round.

World No. 4 Phil Mickelson failed to take advantage of the near-perfect conditions as he returned a one-over 72 for 139.

The American left-hander, winner of last year’s U.S. Masters, put himself in early contention with an opening 67 but lost ground after dropping three shots in four holes round the turn.

“It was a day to go low and I just didn’t do it,” he said.

Of the other big names, seven-times European No. 1 Colin Montgomerie carded a 69 to finish at five under while double U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen, who had battled to an opening 71, improved to a 67.

Lewis Leads in Illinois, 15-Year-Old Wie Looks to Make Cut

In Silvis, Illinois, American JL Lewis fired a six-under 65 to grab the lead midway through the second round at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois yesterday.

Most eyes, though, were on 15-year-old Michelle Wie, who is hoping to become the first female to make the cut at a PGA Tour event for 60 years.

Wie, yet to start her second round, is looking to emulate Babe Zaharias, who made the cut at the 1945 Tucson Open.

Hawaiian Wie, who can also secure the last qualifying spot for next week’s British Open at St Andrews by finishing as the highest non-exempt player, hit a one-under 70 on Thursday but needs another strong showing to make the projected two-under-par cut mark.

Lewis, a journeyman professional with two career wins in 16 seasons on tour, mixed two bogeys with six birdies and an eagle to finish 13 under on 129.

Overnight leader Hunter Mahan of the United States and Japan’s Shigeki Maruyama were two strokes adrift on 131.

Kim, Morgan Share Lead After First Round of Jamie Farr

In Sylvania, Ohio, Birdie Kim took a solid first step toward proving her stunning US Women’s Open win wasn’t a fluke.

Kim, two weeks removed from her dramatic win at Cherry Hills, shot a 6-under 65 - her LPGA career low — to share the lead with Becky Morgan after the opening round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic on Thursday.

Kim’s 65 was three shots below her previous best on the tour.

She bogeyed her third hole of the day, then birdied seven of her final 13 holes. Six of the birdies didn’t require a putt longer than 6 feet. Kim, one of six players with that last name in the Farr field, holed an improbable sand shot on the 72nd hole of the Open to hold off amateurs Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang, who finished tied for second.

“That gave me a lot of confidence,” Kim said.