American Crocker retains 1-shot Hero Open lead

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — American golfer Sean Crocker retained his 1-stroke lead at the Hero Open after shooting 6-under 66 in the second round of the European tour event on Friday.

The star of Day 2, however, was Ewen Ferguson after the Scot made 11 birdies — including seven in eight holes on the back nine — in a bogey-free 61 at Fairmont St. Andrews.

Crocker backed up his opening-round 63 and was 15 under for the tournament as he goes for a wire-to-wire win.

Scott Jamieson, playing in his native Scotland, was a stroke behind and alone in second place after shooting 64.

There was a five-way tie for third place another stroke back between English pair Jonathan Thomson (65) and Ross Fisher (66), Scotland’s David Law (66), Spain’s Adrian Otaegui (67) and Sweden’s Jens Dantorp (67).

Ferguson was on 10 under, 5 shots off the lead at tied for 15th.