Scott Hend and Felipe Aguilar have both produced rounds of 69 to earn a share of the lead at the Scottish Open.
Blustery conditions ensured that birdies were difficult to come by on Thursday but both Hend and Aguilar impressed to lead from a group containing Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Andy Sullivan.
Luke Donald and Branden Grace are among the players two shots adrift but things did not go to plan for the top American players in the field.
Patrick Reed and Phil Mickelson finished with rounds of three-over and four-over respectively, leaving both men with work to do if they are to make the cut.
JB Holmes also endured a disappointing round as he hit three double bogeys on his way to a score of 80.
