World golf No.1 Luke Donald put himself back into winning contention with a flawless second round 68 on Friday to be just three shots behind in the defence of his Scottish Open title.

Donald birdied his second and third holes and then, after 13 straight pars, birdied his closing two holes to move to nine-under par, trailing Italy’s Francesco Molinari (70) and Sweden’s Alex Noren (66) who head the event on 12-under.

Donald has burst back into winning form in his first event since missing the halfway cut with a shock 11-over in last month’s US Open.

“It was a nice way to finish with a couple of birdies and that puts me only three back,” said Donald.

“My putter just went a bit cold there for a while and couldn’t quite make some birdies when I needed but overall, it was a pretty stress-free day.”

Donald will be seeking to win his second European Tour event in three tournaments and also become the first player to retain the Scottish Open.

Noren, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Thursday, is on target to secure one of the two remaining spots into next week’s British Open.

The leading player within the top-five finishes — and not already exempt — in both the Scottish Open and the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic this week, will earn entry into golf’s oldest Major.

However Noren’s goal of contesting a fourth British Open is under threat by Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez and Italian teenager Matteo Manassero who both shot 64s to be tied in third place at 11-under.

They are also hoping to get into the British Open.

India’s SSP Chowrasia (67), who is in fourth place on 10-under par, is also seeking to qualify.

Sharing sixth place on nine under par with Donald is 2009 Scottish Open winner, Martin Kaymer of Germany, who birdied five of his opening seven holes in an eventual round of 68.

American Phil Mickelson posted the equal lowest round of the day, an eight under par 64, to move to seven under par and also return to form after missing the cut in both the US Open and last week’s Greenbrier Classic.

The triple Major winning pair of Padraig Harrington (69) and Ernie Els (70) finished a respective six under par and four under par.