A WEEK after making the cut for the first time in five months, Basildon’s Daniel Brooks surged into a commanding halfway lead at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

The 28-year-old won the Madeira Islands Open last season, but followed that breakthrough with 14 consecutive missed cuts before picking up another cheque.

After playing the weekend in Dubai at the end of January, Brooks missed 13 cuts in a row this term, but finished tied for 20th in France last week to stop the rot.

An opening 64 at Gullane suggested that was more than a temporary return to form, and a second round 65 put Brooks 11 under par and three shots clear.

“I played really solid and I’ve not missed many shots at all,” said Brooks, who after an eagle on the long second had one bogey and four birdies, including an effort from 25 feet on the last.

“The last three weeks now; Germany, I started playing nicely, just missed the cut there but played some nice golf.

"France, I had a load of silly mistakes, bogeys. Cutting them out this week and it's worked out nicely so far.

“It's hard to miss that many cuts. It does get you down. It only takes one good week out here and hopefully that's what I'll have.

“I've been there, done it, hopefully can have a good weekend and see what happens.”

Defending champion Justin Rose and his Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell were among those sharing second on eight under, along with Swede Johan Carlsson, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, American Ryan Palmer and Englishman Matthew Nixon.

Southend's Richard McEvoy ended the day seven under par, four shots behind Brooks.

>Brooks was talking to the European Tour website