Former Open champion Sandy Lyle revived the memories of his glory years with a glittering five-under-par 67 on the second day at St Andrews. The ever popular Scot, who won at Royal St George's in 1985, moved to a three-under total of 141.
Fellow countryman Colin Montgomerie gave the home crowd even more to cheer about, hitting a 66 to finish Friday's round on seven under.
Carnoustie amateur Eric Ramsay finished the day on two under.
The 25-year-old Australian Amateur champion had ended the opening day at the Open leading the British challenge, two strokes behind favourite Tiger Woods.
But Ramsay suffered mixed fortunes on Friday, seeing two birdies cancelled out by a double bogey on the 13th and bogey on the 11th.
 |  Maybe this can be the springboard to better things |
Fellow amateur Lloyd Saltman followed his opening-day 73 with a 71 to finish level par. Lyle improved even more with a fine 67 to add to his first-round 74.
"I got some putts in and that helped an awful lot," said the 47-year-old, who was keen to erase the nightmare of his triple-bogey seven on the 17th hole on Thursday.
"I have kept the ball in play as well, which is a big thing.
"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. Saturday the old body will feel a bit sore from the walking and I will be tired. It could go the other way.
"But it is a good start. Maybe this can be the springboard to better things."
However Montgomerie's playing partner, Paul Lawrie, added 71 to his opening-day 72 to move one-under.
They had gone out as a two-ball after American David Toms disqualified himself as he believed he may have hit a moving ball while holing out for a double-bogey six on the 17th during his first round.
Scotland's Scott Drummond hit two birdies and a bogey to card 71 and move to one-over.
MMIX
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