FOR THE SECOND day running, Mikko Ilonen leads at the close of play at The Irish Open.
The Finnish golfer followed up his opening round of 64 with a -3 score of 68 at Fota Island. He leads a trio of players in second, on -8, including Graeme McDowell (66), Robert Rock (66) and Romain Wattel (65).
Padraig Harrington is tied for eighth after his round of 67 saw him sign off for a 36-hole score of -6. Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin is also on -6 after firing the round of the day. He carded six birdies and did not drop a shot all afternoon.
Irish amateur Gary Hurley’s excellent tournament continues. He lies of -4 and is tied 16th after a superb round of 66. The news is not so positive for Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry as both golfers, who finished on +1, are set to miss the projected cut.
McDowell, who landed six birdies, told reporters, “There’s always a first time for everything. -8 is a nice total and although I don’t expect it to be leading at the end of the day it doesn’t have to. I am just excited to be in contention.”
Two birdies in a row, on his 12th and 13th holes, set the tone for McDowell as his putter ran hot.
https://vine.co/v/MTnhTm27236
At one stage of the second day, Michael Hoey was one shot off the lead. He then dropped three shots in three holes to fall back but finished on -3, one shot better than Darren Clarke who bounced back with a 68.