Brandt Snedeker posted a course record-equalling round of 64 to earn himself a two-shot lead after day two of the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The American, who hit six birdies and no bogeys, matched Adam Scott's first-round score to end the day on 10-under-par.

Snedeker is also tied with Sir Nick Faldo for the lowest score ever at the halfway stage of the tournament following a round of 66 on Thursday.

Australian Scott is on nine-under after a round of 67, while Tiger Woods posted a second consecutive 67 to put him on six-under.

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen's 66 has left him on five-under and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is one of five players sitting in wait on four-under.

World number one Luke Donald continued his steady form as a round of 68 gave him a score of two-under.

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy had another frustrating around the course with a five-over round of 75 leaving him on two-over overall.

Lee Westwood was in danger of not making the cut at one stage, but the Englishman rallied to put himself on three-over with a cluster of others.

There were a number of high-profile names who didn't make the cut including Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel, Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson and defending champion Darren Clarke.