LOCH LOMOND, July 9: Frenchman Gregory Havret shot a stunning seven-under 64 to go nine-under for the championship and snatch the lead of the Scottish Open here on Friday.

After dropping two shots as he started home, Havret suddenly caught fire, rattling off an eagle and three birdies to put himself one shot clear of England's Ian Poulter, David Howell and joint first-round leader Phillip Price.

Havret knows that this is his last chance to qualify for next week's British Open. The top finisher here this week who has not already qualified gets a spot for Troon. With already one European Tour win to his name, the 2001 Italian Open, Havret has had three top ten finishes this year and says his swing has greatly improved after working on it in the winter.

But it was his putting that gave him the second round lead. Poulter put himself firmly in contention for the weekend when he carded a bogey-free four-under 67. It put the Englishman at eight-under for the tournament and tied with Howell and Price. But despite being on the leader board, the 28-year-old Poulter was ruing a string of missed chances to be even further under par. Howell surprised even himself with his second round seven-under 64.

He complained he was 'shattered' when he arrived at the course this morning after a 5.30am alarm call. But after a steady one-under 34 for the outward nine, Howell, still looking for a second European Tour win after his 1999 success in Dubai, went on a birdie blitz, coming home in a stunning six-under 30.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who admitted earlier in the week that he was fighting 'the demons' as he tried to refind his form, moved well up the leader board when he added a four-under 67 to his opening three-under 68.

LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES: