Open champion Ernie Els admitted he was glad to miss the cut, just days before the defence of his title at Muirfield, as unheralded Scot Chris Doak claimed a one-shot lead at Castle Stuart.

Els made an early exit after a second round of 70 left him two under par, 10 shots behind Doak and two outside the cut mark after another day of low scoring in perfect conditions.

“I thought I played quite well today, but I had no idea on these greens so I am glad I am leaving to get on some other greens,” he said.

Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell birdied the last hole for a six-under-par 69.