After an opening tee shot that most of the spectators around the tenth tee of the Loch Lomond Golf Club would have been ashamed of, Retief Goosen showed just why he is one of the world’s greatest players with a scintillating display of golf as he powered to the top of The Barclays Scottish Open leaderboard.

Goosen’s first shot of the second round, in his own words “a low, thinny one going right - probably not even 180 yards off the tee,” was the last bad shot he hit as he compiled a brilliant eight under par 63 to take control of the championship going into the weekend.

The double US Open Champion, and a former Barclays Scottish Open Champion, leads Australia’s Adam Scott by two with 36 holes to play, with another Aussie, Marcus Fraser, joining last week’s Open de France ALSTOM Champion, Martin Kaymer in third place on eight under par.

Goosen missed out on the course record by only one stroke - as he did not need telling because he was the one to achieve it back in 1997.

"I've shot 62 around here twice, once with placing (in 2001 en route to taking the title) and once without,” said the South African. "I do like it here. The golf course is fairly generous off the tee and I'm not one of the straightest hitters."

Goosen, who rescued his par four after his opening tee shot on the tenth with a 30 foot putt, has a particular fondness for the 518 yard third hole now.

As on the opening day he sank 20 footer for eagle, making him four under there already this week.

Scott was delighted to share second place. After a poor run of results recently, the former World Number Three looks close to returning to his best form.

“I'm pleased, two rounds in the 60s in a row, it's good for me,” said Scott. “It feels really good the way my game is at the moment. My ball striking is there again, and just enjoying being out there and being able to hit some shots.

“I felt that when I first played here, I enjoyed the club, and also it's a lot like a course I grew up playing in Australia. So obviously that was a comfortable feeling for me. It's a beautiful place and the golf course is great, especially on days like today.

“It would be nice to have a good weekend, but I feel really comfortable out here. It's very generous off the tee which can actually improve your driving, because you know you're going to hit a lot of fairways, so you get a little confidence. I've played nicely for two days. I really enjoy coming here.”

Fraser was as surprised as any of the locals in the thronging galleries at just how good the conditions had been for the first two days of the tournament, with the magnificent Loch Lomond Golf Club at its glorious best with the sun splitting the skies over the bonnie banks.

“I didn't realise we were in Scotland this week,” joked Fraser. “The last couple of days it's been beautiful. I don't think it will be like this tomorrow but the course is beautiful. The greens are awesome, as good as it gets, and one of the best places in the world this week when the weather is like this.”

Kaymer, meanwhile, was delighted to continue the form that saw him defeat Lee Westwood in a sudden-death play-off for the Open de France title last weekend.

“My putting was good today,” said 24 year old German. “I hit a lot of solid shots, a lot of greens, and made a lot of putts especially on the back nine.”

Another man pleased with his putting, and overall performance, was the leading Scotsman in the field, Martin Laird.

Playing in his first European Tour event, the American-based Laird finished on seven under par 135 after his second round 70 and will lead the Scottish charge over the weekend.