Phil Mickelson had a hole-in-one Friday at the Scottish Open and moved into contention with a second-round 4-under par 67. Mickelson used a 5-iron to ace the 190-yard fifth hole at Loch Lomond in a tuneup tournament before next week's British Open at Royal Birkdale. The ball went straight at the pin, landed 12 feet short, bounced once and rolled into the hole. "I thought it would be close and, all of a sudden, everybody was jumping behind the green," Mickelson said. "I don't remember the last one. It has been a little while."

Mickelson has a two-round total of 4-under 138. First-round leaders Thongchai Jaidee and Alexander Noren teed off later Friday.

Ernie Els, who shot a first-round 72, finished early Friday with a 66 for a two-day total of 138.

Mickelson, who said the ace was between the 15th and 20th of his pro career, birdied the next hole after just missing a 20-foot eagle attempt.

Els' round consisted of seven birdies and two bogeys.

"I'm not striking it 100 per cent," Els said. "You could see that in my finish. Missed the fairway on seven and three-putted there, then had to make great up-and-downs at 8 and 9."

Els, like Mickelson, started at the 10th.

"There was some good stuff here and there. It was nice to see some putts going in because I haven't putted well all year," Els said.

The highlight was a curling 35-footer for birdie at the second hole.

Irishman Damien McGrane, winner of the China Open in April, shot a 5-under 66 to hold the early second-round lead at 8-under.

Written By BRIAN CREIGHTON

Email To A Friend