Paul Lawrie just two shots back

• Paul Lawrie well in contention heading into third round
• The Scot finished eight-under-par after his second round
• Best finish since winning in 1999 is T26 at Muirfield in 2013

Paul Lawrie is just two shots behind leader Dustin Johnson heading into the third round after holding his nerve following a ten-and-a-half hour delay to post a two-under-par 70.

The 46-year-old, who resumed his round on the 14th hole after play was suspended just 32 minutes into Saturday morning due of high winds, finished with all pars to follow up his fantastic first round 66 which will see the Scot tee off in the penultimate group on Sunday.

Since lifting the Claret Jug at Carnoustie 16 years ago, Lawrie’s best finish at an Open Championship was T26 at Muirfield two years ago, and he looks well on course to top that after carding just two bogeys in his 36-hole score, largely helped by a return to form with the putter.

“If you start getting ahead of yourself, that’s when you start making mistakes” – Paul Lawrie

“I played pretty solid,” said Paul Lawrie. “I struggled a wee bit when I went back out and I had to hole a couple of decent putts for pars. I hit a poor chip on 18 which cost me the chance of a birdie but apart from that, I played solid so 70 was about right.

“Putting is important, obviously. I could easily be sitting here on five-under and not eight-under, so that’s the really positive thing. I’ve been working really hard with my putting and it’s hugely important if you’re going to win tournaments.”

But Lawrie insists that although he is in a favourable position in the leaderboard, he certainly isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“I’ve always prided myself on knowing where you are as opposed to where you want to be,” said Paul Lawrie. “There are a lot of world-class players out there and if you start getting ahead of yourself, that’s when you start making mistakes and tripping up.”

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Just like he did after round one, Dustin Johnson holds the 36-hole lead on ten-under-par, the same score he was on when play was halted earlier on Saturday morning, despite making a bogey six on the par-5 14th after his ball blew off the back of the green in the wind.

“I’m very pleased with my score in round two,” said the American, who should be fully aware of the fine margins in major championships after missing out by one shot to Jordan Spieth in the US Open last month. “This morning when we started, it was almost impossible, but I managed to hang in there, and when we restarted it was very tough but I managed to make some good pars and a birdie at the last was a good way to finish the day.

“I was a little pissed when I made my bogey” – Dustin Johnson

“I was a little pissed when I made my bogey . Fortunately, it happened in kind of the end of the second round. We’ve still got a lot of golf to play, so it is what it is. I’m not the only one it happened so there’s nothing to worry about now, it’s over with.”

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Danny Willett is sandwiched between Johnson and Lawrie on nine-under-par after completing his second round on Friday, while also up near the summit on seven-under are Marc Warren, Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Jason Day and Robert Streb.

Speaking after his second round on Friday, Warren said: “I feel comfortable and my game’s in really good shape. I feel totally at ease on the golf course and battling in the conditions.

“Last week I was probably a few holes shy but this week it could be different. I’ve just got to take whatever the golf course gives. I’ve just got to try and keep the putter in play and hopefully the putter is warm.”

Paul Lawrie :: Can he keep it up?

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