Manassero shapes up for Italian duel with Molinari Teenager Matteo Manassero, twice a winner on the European Tour already, is in the hunt for another victory - and a place in the Open - after a 64 at Castle Stuart yesterday. With fellow Italian Francesco Molinari able to follow up his first-round 62 with only a 70, Manassero's scintillating seven birdies in the last nine holes took him only one off the lead in the Scottish Open. The Tour's youngest-ever champion could qualify for Royal Lytham next week with a top-five finish, but his sights are on emulating what German Marcel Siem did at the French Open last Sunday by winning to earn his spot. "The Open is on my mind and this is my last chance," said the 19-year-old from Verona, who stands 11 under par at halfway. Molinari had a triple bogey seven on the 464-yard seventh to allow Swede Alex Noren to join him out in front after a second successive 66 the day after his 30th birthday and the day after his girlfriend Emelie won an event in Norway. Argentina's big-hitting Ricardo Gonzalez is joint third with Manassero, while world No 1 and defending champion Luke Donald's 68 means he has only three shots to make up and Phil Mickelson's 64 brought him just five back. With 2009 winner Martin Kaymer alongside Donald and Padraig Harrington six under, the final 36 holes has all sorts of possibilities still. Mickelson's 64 yesterday might not have brought him the same satisfaction as his last one, but it still tasted sweet. Five months ago he had Tiger Woods as his playing partner at Pebble Beach and, while Woods crashed to a 75, he charged to victory from six behind. After rounds of 73 and 69 a, Lawrie - third in the cup standings with six weeks of qualifying to go - said: "Craig did brilliant.