Snedeker hits the top

Brandt Snedeker moved to the top of the leaderboard at The Open Championship as he got to the turn in a four-under par 30 on Friday.

The American picked up birdies at the first, sixth, seventh and ninth at Royal Lytham to move two ahead of overnight-leader Adam Scott who was amongst the later starters.

Luke Donald was having an up and down day but four birdies and two bogeys had the world number one two under through 11.

A double bogey on the ninth had Rory McIlroy struggling as he was three over for the day and par for the tournament after 13 holes.

New Zealander Steven Alker shot a second consecutive 69 to sit in the clubhouse at two under while Swede Carl Pettersson was another man to break 70 on the second day and he was also at two under.

As well as Scott, Paul Lawrie and Zach Johnson, who both sit five under, were out later in the afternoon along with Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Bubba Watson and Graeme McDowell who were two shots further back.