Shane Lowry and Kinsale's John Murphy are in contention at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after the second round at Kingsbarns.
Two-time winner of the event Tyrrell Hatton leads by a stroke on ten-under-par, carding a more modest round of 70 on Friday compared to his superb 64 in Carnoustie on Thursday.
Lowry shot back into contention with a five-under-par second round of 67 at Kingsbarns. The 2019 Open champion, who carded an opening round of 71 in Carnoustie on Thursday, registered six birdies and an eagle on Friday, with three bogeys too in an eventful round.
He currently lies in a tie for seventh spot on six-under. Joining him on the mark is 22-year-old Murphy. The Corkman carded a second successive 69, with five birdies and two bogeys.
2011 champion Michael Hoey, however, struggled to follow up his fine opening round of 65, carding a three-over-par round on Friday to fall back to four-under for the tournament and a tie for 23rd.
Paul Dunne slipped out of contention with a three-over-par round of 75, dropping back to two-under.
Of the remaining Irish players in the field, Padraig Harrington (twice winner of the event in 2002 and 2006) is tied for 148th place on six-over for the tournament, Cormac Sharvin is in 122nd position at three-over, while Jonathan Caldwell is in 158th on nine-over.
The definition of the side door @ShaneLowryGolf 😅#DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/S6A0x0BtwU
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 1, 2021
The cut-line will only kick in after Round 3 in St Andrew's on Saturday.
