Englishman Nick Dougherty shared the lead of the Dunhill Links Championship at the halfway stage in Scotland.

Dougherty fired a 66 at Carnoustie to go to 11 under par for the tournament, level with South African Hennie Otto and Australian Peter O'Malley.

Behind that trio, the battle to win the European Order of Merit heated up.

Ernie Els, third on the money-list, had a 67 to go to 10 under, with contenders Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose two and three shots further back.

The event, which also features an array of celebrities, is played at Carnoustie, St Andrews and Kingsbarns.

Whoever wins the Order of Merit has got to play good golf over the last four tournaments of the year Justin Rose

Harrington, who leads the Order of Merit, had a much better putting round on Friday as he carded a 66 at St Andrews to move to eight under overall.

"There are at least five or six in contention [for the Order of Merit]. I've just got to make sure I carry on improving on Saturday and again on Sunday," said the Irishman.

Rose, second on the European money-list, had a 69 on the same course.

"It's not on my mind at all although it has now become a goal," he said.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Order of Merit race

"It would just be a huge bonus because it was not on my radar at the start of the year.

"Whoever wins the Order of Merit, though, has got to play good golf over the last four tournaments of the year."

World number five Els said: "I see Padraig played well and Justin too. I have to win this week and next week to have any chance because I've committed to other tournaments after that."