PHILLIP PRICE is within distance of landing a remarkable second big European Tour victory in the space of a week following another excellent round of golf at the Scottish Open yesterday.

South African Ernie Els, who leads the tournament by four shots, stands in Price's way at the moment and, if the last two days go their way, Gwent may well get a remarkable one-two as Blackwood's Bradley Dredge (pictured) ended the second round just behind his Welsh colleague in fourth spot.

Price stormed into second spot coming up the back nine with a series of birdies to take him from four under to seven under par.

Els is on 11 under par, four shots in advance of Price, but the Gwent star, who won the Smurfit European Open at the K Club, Dublin, last Sunday is not counting his chickens quite yet.

Asked about winning the event, Price said cautiously: "I think it depends on Ernie. If he starts playing fantastic, we will all have our work cut out but if not and I can raise my game, why not?"

He added: "I didn't know what to expect this week because you can't play well every day. I just want to turn it up more over the next few days."

And should Els falter and Price keep his game intact after hitting 67 on Thursday and 68 yesterday, then a victory would certainly justify his decision to play in the tournament after arriving back from Dublin last Tuesday only to get a few moments' rest and fly up to Scotland the same day.

He nearly chose to give the Scottish Open a miss and concentrate on preparing for The Open next week at Sandwich.

He said: "I've been thinking about it (The Open) and I didn't know whether or not to play this week because I feel tired but I just thought I had to keep it going.

"I'm very pleased with the way I'm playing in the championship (Scottish Open). I didn't know what to expect after last week. It's a bonus to do well here and I'm really relaxed about it."

Dredge hit a round of 68 yesterday to go with a first round score of 69 that leaves him on five under par.

As for the leader, Els said: "It's a pretty nice position at the moment. I've been in it quite a few times and know what I have to do. I have to play my game and try and build on my lead if I can."

The South African carded five birdies in his 67, dropping his only shot of the tournament so far on the 12th, and is in pole position to regain the title he won in 2000.

It also proves his game is in superb shape ahead of the defence of his Open title, and the world number two is not too concerned about the possibility of winning at Loch Lomond and then trying to achieve a rare double at Sandwich.

He said: "Is it going to take something out of me? I don't particularly care right now. I want to play as well as I can.

"The start of the year and all the miles I did, if that did not take it out of me then I don't think this will."

Els virtually wrote off his chances of Open glory last year after finishing 50th at Loch Lomond, but added: "You definitely want to play your best and so far I have been playing close to my best.

"This is an individual tournament and you have to play as well as you can and whatever happens I'll go and play next week. You have to stay in the moment and that's what I have to do this weekend."