Mickelson opens up two shot lead at Scottish Open

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, July 14 (Reuters) World number three Phil Mickelson moved two strokes clear of the field midway through his third round at the Scottish Open today.

The 37-year-old American picked up three birdies in his opening nine holes to go 12 under par overall, two clear of joint overnight leaders Jose Manuel Lara of Spain and Gregory Havret of France who had played eight.

One shot further adrift on nine under were Briton Ian Poulter (12 holes) and Swede Pelle Edberg (11).

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen was leading in the clubhouse on 205, eight under, after firing a seven-under 64.

Oosthuizen, the first player to tee off at 0745 local time, charged into contention with five birdies in the last seven holes.

Mickelson registered his first birdie of the day at the long third before making further inroads on par at the seventh and ninth.

This is the left-hander's fourth trip to the British Open warm-up event and he has a less than distinguished record, having finished 44th in 2005, 78th in 2004 and 35th in 2003.

REUTERS SAM KP2041