Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell within striking distance of Alex Noren

Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell are within striking distance at the halfway stage of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

Harrington and McDowell both fired rounds of 69 to lie three shots behind leader Alex Noren. Noren is 8 under par after a fine bogey-free round of 66 on day two.

Five birdies in the space of seven holes helped Noren card a flawless 66 to finish eight under par, a shot ahead of playing partner Eddie Pepperell (67) and New Zealand’s Danny Lee.