Golf:Graeme McDowell now refers to Rory McIlroy as "The Man" - but his own talent was there for all to see again on Friday as he shot a course record at Castle Stuart near Inverness. While McIlroy eyes the first US Open-Open double since Tiger Woods in 2000, McDowell fired a 64 to set up the possibility of a second Barclays Scottish Open title in four years.

Last year's US Open champion stood 11-under-par at halfway and when play was suspended in mid-afternoon because of a thunderstorm he was sharing top spot with Scots Peter Whiteford and Scott Jamieson.

Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, world numbers one and two, and Open-chasing Colin Montgomerie were among those affected by the hold-up.

Donald stood six under after four holes, while the other two were one better than that - good enough only for a share of 16th place as the low scoring continued.

McDowell does not know yet whether he will be practising with his fellow Ulsterman and Ryder Cup partner at Sandwich next Wednesday. That is expected to be McIlroy's one remaining look at Royal St George's after taking a trip there earlier this week, whereas McDowell is planning 18 holes on Monday and then nine on each of the following two days.

"Of course I would love to have a knock with him," he said. "I know he's spending a couple of days down there this week and he flew late to Congressional - maybe that's the magic recipe now. It's difficult. Everyone has their own little way of building up and he's going to be a busy man.

"We'll have a chat and see what the craic is."

McDowell was only joint 30th when he resumed on three under, but had an eagle and two birdies in his first four holes - "a dream start" - and then added four more birdies.

"We realised conditions were going to be easy and it was going to be there for the taking a little bit," he said. "The course obviously doesn't offer much of a challenge off the tee and there's chances galore, but the greens are tricky."

Although Royal St George's will be far, far tougher McDowell does not mind the gentle warm-up.

He said: "I think the balance is just right. If we had been coming to a brutal test here maybe you'd be mentally worn out."

Whiteford and Jamieson were both round in 66, but the latter stood four clear at one point and was bitterly disappointed to double bogey his penultimate hole, the 218-yard eighth.

The 27-year-old from Glasgow is in his rookie season on the European Tour, but has already had four top-six finishes and said: "It would be a dream to come true to win your first tournament on home soil - beyond all expectations."

Jamieson does not have a place in the Sandwich field yet, but top five on Sunday could do it for him.

Whiteford, three years older and from Kirkcaldy, came through the qualifier at Sunningdale to earn an Open debut at the 15th attempt.

He said: "It's my third year out here, so I know the golf courses and the faces. What Scott's doing in my opinion is phenomenal - every week is a new week to him."

Spain's Jose Manuel Lara was one behind, while another Scot - 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie - matched McDowell's 64 to charge to nine under.

Justin Rose, Pádraig Harrington and America's world number eight Matt Kuchar were eight under and Ernie Els one further back, while Phil Mickelson had to come home in 32 with an eagle and two birdies for a 67 that left him alongside Damien McGrane, who moved from one over to four under with a 67.

That was a shot inside the expected cut mark, but that was with half the field still to complete their rounds.

Shane Lowry, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Peter Lawrie were all on the right side of the projected cut but had holes to play.

Gareth Maybin was a shot outside the cut after a 68 improved his score to three under, while, on one under, Michael Hoey had plenty to do with five to play.