Golf-Loch Lomond like a home from home for Australian Scott

By Tony Jimenez

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, July 10 (Reuters) - The Scottish Open feels like a home from home for Australian Adam Scott and his fondness for the spectacular banks of Loch Lomond was underlined when he fired a four-under-par 67 in Friday's second round.

"This is a beautiful place and the course is great," he told reporters after his nine-under total of 133 pushed him within two strokes of early leader Retief Goosen.

"I feel really comfortable here. It's a lot like a course (Hope Island) I grew up playing in Australia."

Scott said Loch Lomond's wide fairways suited him down to the ground.

"It is very generous off the tee which can actually improve your driving. You're going to hit a lot of fairways so you get a little confidence," said the 28-year-old from Adelaide.

"Two rounds in the 60s is very good for me. My ball-striking is there again and it feels really good the way my game is at the moment."

Scott spent a long time ranked in the world's top 10 and became the youngest winner of the 'unofficial fifth major', the Players Championship in Florida, when he lifted the trophy in 2004 at the age of 23.

He has won all around the globe but has struggled to make an impact in the four majors, with his best performance a tie for third in the 2006 U.S. PGA Championship.