Dougherty shared a three-way one-stroke lead after the second round

England's Nick Dougherty extended his lead in the Dunhill Links Championship after firing a six-under par round of 66 on the Old Course at St Andrews.

His fine effort moved him to 17-under in the three-course event, three clear of Aussie Peter O'Malley in second.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie, Open champion Padraig Harrington, and English duo Justin Rose and Steve Webster are a stroke further back on 13-under.

Ernie Els and Niclas Fasth remain in the hunt at 12-under.

A delighted Dougherty said: "It's about time the old lady (St Andrews) was kind to me. I've always walked away from here feeling I'd left my good scores on the course.

"But to shoot 66 like that, an easy 66, gives me a lot of confidence for the final round."

Overnight co-leader Peter O'Malley was left to rue a double-bogey at the infamous Road Hole 17th at St Andrews.

He found the treacherous bunker in front of the green and could only splash out backwards.

Lawrie, the 2001 Dunhill Links winner, made a rousing return to Carnoustie - scene of his 1999 Open triumph - with a course record-equalling 64.