Low scoring remained the order of the day when the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open resumed - and Matteo Manassero managed the lowest number possible at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
Manassero had already picked up birdies on the third and sixth when he fired a hole-in-one on the eighth, holing out with a hybrid club from 216 yards.
That took the 20 year old Italian, the youngest ever winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May, to the turn in 32 and to nine under for the tournament, just three behind leader Chris Doak.
Doak, playing only his second full season on The European Tour at the age of 35, held a one shot lead over English duo Ross Fisher and Matthew Southgate, American Peter Uihlein and Denmark's JB Hansen.
The final pair of Doak and Uihlein were not due out until 3:25pm.
World Number Eight Phil Mickelson was due out at 1:30pm, the four-time Major winner four off the lead on eight under after rounds of 66 and 70.
Manassero also birdied the 11th but his momentum was halted by a bogey on the 12th that dropped him back to nine under.
South African Hennie Otto had set the clubhouse target on ten under par after a 66, with Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin also ten under after covering the front nine in 31 thanks to four birdies, an eagle and one bogey.
