Australian Peter O'Malley continued his love affair with Scotland on Friday, claiming a share of the Dunhill Links Championship second-round lead with a course record-tying 64 at Carnoustie.

The 42-year-old from Sydney was lucky to join South African Hennie Otto and Britain's Nick Dougherty on 11-under 133 after forgetting his clubs.

"I was driving out here and coming through Dundee I heard a rattling in the boot and knew then I hadn't put the clubs in the car," O'Malley told reporters.

"I rang the lady at the guest house I'm staying at, she put my clubs in her car and met me at Leuchars railway station. It would have been very tight if I'd had to drive back."

World number five Ernie Els, in contention for a second European order of merit crown, was in a five-strong group one shot off the lead at the pro-am tournament.

O'Malley has twice shot 62s in Scotland, one of them earning the 1992 Scottish Open title.

A bogey at the short 16th hole denied O'Malley the outright record and lead but he was nonetheless in good shape after notching nine birdies in his eight-under round.

In 1992 he squeezed out Colin Montgomerie at Gleneagles by picking up seven shots in his last five holes.

Eleven years later O'Malley, who has also finished seventh and eighth at British Opens in Scotland, recorded another 62 in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond before fading to 24th.

Dougherty also shot his 66 at Carnoustie, one of three courses being used this week.

The Englishman is chasing his second European Tour title and hoping for equal good fortune when he plays at St Andrews on Saturday.

"She's a beautiful old lady but she's never been that good to me and I think it's time for the tide to turn," said Dougherty.

Otto is looking for his maiden European Tour win. "I just concentrated on keeping things going," he said after following his 66 at Carnoustie with a 67 at St Andrews.

"It pleased me having a bogey-free round. The only other time I've not had a bogey in a round on the Old Course was when I was an amateur."

Reuters / Eurosport