Lawrie chasing place in record books

Only two players - David J Russell in 1992 and Jesper Parnevik three years later - have ever gone through a European Tour event without dropping a stroke. Woods failed to join them on the very last hole of the 2002 American Express world championship at Mount Juliet in Ireland, but Lawrie is halfway there after adding a 69 to his opening 67 in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on Friday.

"I wasn't in trouble a lot, but when I had to I obviously kept the round going, which you have to do when you have no bogeys," said Lawrie, who stands eight under par and holds a two-shot lead.

The 40-year-old former Open champion, fighting for his Tour career a decade on from his Carnoustie triumph, doubled his advantage at the top of the leaderboard, with Northern Ireland rookie Jonathan Caldwell, Dutchman Maarten Lafeber and big-hitting Argentinian Daniel Vancsik the closest pursuers.

"I've been prone to the odd hook in my career and I've certainly got rid of that the last couple of days," added Lawrie. "I missed a few putts, but I'm very pleased with the way I hit it again. Overall you're not going to grumble, but I'm a golfer and you always grumble!"

One fellow competitor certainly impressed by Lawrie's display - and it was mutual - was playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal.

The double Masters champion, climbing into contention himself with a 68 for five under, commented: "We all know how good a chipper he is. His nickname 'Chippy' tells you pretty much everything."

Olazabal was delighted with his own efforts, especially five birdies in the first six holes, given that he is suffering more problems with rheumatism.

"I have a little bit of pain here and there, especially when I wake up in the morning," he said. "You have to take it slow and give yourself more time to try to loosen up.

"Hitting shots my body is not moving as freely and I can't practise as much as I need to, but I have to live with that for the time being."