GULLANE - England's Daniel Brooks was a surprise halfway-stage leader of the Scottish Open, getting to 11-under par on the back of a second round of 65. The 28-year-old played a second straight superb round of golf to leave a top-class field trailing in his wake. Brooks leads by three strokes over a six-strong group including world number seven and defending champion Justin Rose, Irish links specialist Shane Lowry, back-to-form Graeme McDowell, all of whom had 66s, and leading American challenger Ryan Palmer with a 65. A further stroke back on seven under came Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain (66), Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (67) and English trio Tommy Fleetwood (66), Richard McEvoy (67) and Richard Finch (68). The tournament is a buildup for next week's British Open.