Golf: Kiwis Ryan Fox and Daniel Hillier jump up leaderboard at Scottish Open

Daniel Hillier plays a shot on the 18th hole during Day Two of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. Photo / Getty

Kiwis Daniel Hillier and Ryan Fox have both moved up the leaderboard to safely make the cut at the Scottish Open, a co-sanctioned event for the PGA Tour and DP World Tour which features a star-studded field.

At the end of the day’s play, Hillier sits in a share of tenth following a four-under 66 which moved him to six-under for the tournament played at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick. He’s four shots back from leader Rory McIlroy.

Hillier continued the stunning run of form which saw him claim his maiden win on the European Tour earlier this month at the British Masters, which secured his place at next week’s British Open.

In a bogey free round, the 24-year-old had three birdies on the back nine which saw him climb 18 places up the leaderboard after opening the tournament with a 68.

Fox, playing in his first event after a four week break following the US Open, sits six shots back at four-under in a share of 29th. The fellow DP Tour winner and world number 40, was also out on the course early and fired a second round 67. Fox had six birdies and three bogeys across his round to sit safely above the cut line.

AD: Sit back and let the birdies chirp. Have a swing on the Open at tab.co.nz. Bet responsibly.

Rory McIlroy felt he had no choice but to be pleased with a four-under 66 that gave him a one-shot lead - he also couldn’t help but wonder how much lower his score could have been.

McIlroy missed nine putts from 10 feet or closer — eight of those birdie chances — and then holed a five-foot par on the 18th to take a one-shot lead over Tyrrell Hatton, Tom Kim and Byeong Hun An at The Renaissance Club.

“I thought I hit the ball really well tee to green,” McIlroy said. “I gave myself tons of birdie putts out there. I didn’t make as many as I would like, but I can’t be anything but pleased. I’m excited to be in contention going into another weekend.”

McIlroy has never won in Scotland — he’s never so much as finished in the top ten in his seven previous tries as a pro — and looks to be hitting his stride with the final major next week at the British Open at Royal Liverpool.

He was at ten-under 130.