Fleetwood, Hoey lead big names in Scotland

• By Associated Press
• Sep 30, 2011 1:59 PM ET

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Tommy Fleetwood and Michael Hoey left a trail of big names behind them, sharing the second-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Friday.

Fleetwood, who leads the second-tier Challenge Tour rankings, shot a 9-under 63 at Kingsbarns, the same course where first-round leader Hoey shot a second consecutive 66. They both have 12-under totals of 132.

Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen is one shot back after a 67 in unseasonably warm conditions at Carnoustie, while 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell is tied at 10 under with three others after shooting 67.

Defending champion Martin Kaymer shot 67 at Carnoustie, a stroke further back. Rory McIlroy and second-ranked Lee Westwood are 7 under.

While Hoey made seven birdies, Fleetwood rolled in nine in an error-free round after turning in 31 at Kingsbarns, which is producing the lowest scores of the three courses.

“I’ve watched this tournament on TV for years and I pretty much analyze everything (the top players) do. Obviously, my name is in pretty good company right now,” said the 20-year-old Fleetwood, who won a Challenge Tour event in Kazakhstan three weeks ago.

Top-ranked Luke Donald is 4 under after a 71, while fifth-ranked American Dustin Johnson is struggling to make the cut after stumbling to a 73 at Carnoustie.

Hoey has already won a title this year – in Madeira in May – but capturing the Dunhill Links and a first prize of $800,000 would rank much higher among his achievements.

“It’s nice to do well in the big ones, because I did reasonable at Wentworth (31st), too. Hopefully, I can keep going the next two days,” the former British amateur champion said.

With little wind in Scotland for the second consecutive day, most of the high-profile players who went round the usually severe Carnoustie took full advantage.

The sixth-ranked Kaymer, looking to become the first player to successfully defend the title, put himself in contention to break the course record of 64 after eight birdies in 14 holes.

However, bogeys at Nos. 16 and 17 set him back.

“I played very good golf – it was just not a very good finish. But I’ll settle for a 67 at Carnoustie,” Kaymer said.

Daniel Gaunt (65 at Kingsbarns), Markus Brier (68 at Kingsbarns), Marc Warren (68 at St. Andrews) and Jaco van Zyl of (67 at Carnoustie) were at 10 under with McDowell.

The shot of the day was made by James Byrne, who aced the par-3 No. 13 with a 7 iron from 174 yards.

It put the 22-year-old Scot, who turned professional this month, at 10 under – momentarily a shot off the lead – before a closing 7 put him at 6 under.