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Els closing in on Dutchman Lafeber
 Els is looking to secure his third Scottish Open title in a row LOCH LOMOND, Scotland -- World number three Ernie Els fired a five-under-par second round 66 to move into contention for an unprecedented third Scottish Open title. South African Els reeled off five birdies in glorious afternoon sunshine to finish six strokes behind surprise early leader Maarten Lafeber. Dutchnman Lafeber shot a best-of-the-week 63 for a total of 12-under 130. He is one stroke clear of Argentina's Angel Cabrera, co-leader overnight after an opening 64, who is on 131 following a 67. Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke, who birdied the last four holes for a 65, was tied for third at 10 under, level with fellow Briton Alastair Forsyth, after a nine-birdie 64. South African Richard Sterne carded a 68 to share fifth place at nine under alongside Greg Owen (66). Former European number one Lee Westwood (69) was a further shot back, together with fellow Briton Simon Khan (67). Lafeber, the Dutch Open champion in 2003, paid tribute to Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout after he restored his confidence. "I saw Jos on Wednesday afternoon and told him I had played solid all year but that the mental side was really letting me down," sadi Lafeber. "He started working with me and I got positive really quick. Yesterday and this morning, I played and felt really comfortable, so it's paying off very quickly," added the Dutchman, who produced eight birdies in a flawless second-round display. Clarke, joint-fourth at the European Open in Ireland on Sunday after taking a month off to be with his wife Heather who is fighting cancer, said his putting had rescued a poor ball-striking round. "I got off to a bad start this morning with a few very indifferent shots to say the least," he said. "Some decent things happened at the end but more work and a few hours on the range will hopefully clear up those bad shots tomorrow. "I'm scoring very well but my ball striking is not very good," added the 36-year-old. "Having 22 putts helps, though." World number four Phil Mickelson failed to take advantage of the near-perfect conditions as he returned a one-over 72 for 139. The American left-hander, winner of last year's U.S. Masters, put himself in early contention with an opening 67 but lost ground after dropping three shots in four holes round the turn. "It was a day to go low and I just didn't do it," he said. Of the other big names, seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie carded a 69 to finish at five under while double U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen, who had battled to an opening 71, improved to a 67. 
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