FOUR BIRDIES IN five holes on his back nine helped Graeme McDowell (-8) move into a share of the lead at the Irish Open at Fota Island Resort this morning.
The Northern Irish golfer had six birdies and just a solitary bogey after carding a five-under 66 to move to the top of the leaderboard alongside England’s Robert Rock.
“I’m starting to get a feel of these greens, they were nice this morning and I made a few nice ones,” he told BBC television.
“I’m looking forward to going into the weekend in some form of contention.”
McDowell isn’t the only Northern Irish golfer doing well with Gareth Maybin tied for sixth on -6 after a round of 65 and Michael Hoey on -3 following a level par second round.
Co-leader Rock has come close to winning the Irish Open before, famously losing a playoff to Shane Lowry in 2009 at the County Louth Golf Club.
The Offaly man, however, is in real danger of missing the cut following a one-over par 72 with the projected cut currently on level par.
Rory McIlroy is also unlikely to be troubling the Fota Island course this weekend after a double bogey left him on +4 after nine holes of his second round.
However, an eagle on the 10th has given the former world number one some hope.
The news is much better for playing partner Padraig Harrington who is -4 for his round and tied for sixth on -6.
First published at 12.01pm
