New Zealand's sole golfer at the British Open, Steve Alker, held the clubhouse lead at the prestigious major for a while after posting a second straight one under par 69.
Alker is two under par and currently tied for 11th, eight shots behind the American leader, Brandt Snedeker, who shot a record-equalling low second round of 64 at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
Trying to replicate fellow New Zealander Sir Bob Charles' famous win there 49 years ago, and with his wife Tanya carrying his bag, Alker had a bad start with two bogeys on the first three holes before a birdie saw him turn at one over, then three birdies on the back nine brought him back under par.
Snedeker is on 10 under and has yet to drop a shot.
Scott is one stroke back after a 67 - the same score as American Tiger Woods, who chipped in spectacularly from a greenside bunker at the last hole for outright third, four shots behind Snedeker.
The American left-hander Phil Mickelson's dismal British Open record continues - the four-times major champion slumped to an ugly 78 and an 11 over total.
