It was not a happy afternoon

It was not a happy afternoon, however, for the likes of the World Nos 1 and 2, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood as the two Englishmen continued their weekend battle for the Rankings crown, or, for that matter, Colin Montgomerie, who is making a last-ditch bid to claim a British Open spot with a top finish at Castle Stuart.

Westwood and Donald were locked together on seven-under totals when the hooter ended play for the day, leaving 78 afternoon starters to complete their rounds on Saturday morning..

Westwood had played 11 holes while Donald had just reached the turn. Montgomerie, playing with Donald, was a shot worse on six-under. taylormade r11

Double major winner Angel Cabrera and 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie matched McDowell's 64 in the morning to share fifth place on nine-under with Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts (66).

World number six Phil Mickelson trails the leaders by seven strokes after a 67.