Matteo Manassero claimed the halfway lead at the Amgen Irish Open, reaching six under par after a brilliant second-round 66.
Related: Todd Clements impresses at start of Irish Open
English pair Laurie Canter and Todd Clements are one shot further back, with four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, Spain’s Alejandro Del Rey and Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson at four under par.
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With Canter and Clements setting a testing clubhouse target at Royal County Down, Manassero made a perfect start as he eagled the first after a brilliant second from 226 yards to seven feet.
Further birdies at the second and third, from 15 and 32 feet respectively, saw him catch the leaders before a dropped shot at the next after finding rough from the tee.
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A birdie from 18 feet put the Italian back in a share of the lead and he soon went clear with a second eagle of the day, tapping in on the par-five 12th after a majestic approach from 216 yards.
An errant tee shot on the 13th saw Manassero’s lead halved, but he parred his way in to remain the man to catch this weekend as he chases a second win of the season.
The 31-year-old Italian completed a remarkable return to the upper echelons of the game by winning the Jonsson Workwear Open in March – almost 11 years after becoming the youngest winner of the BMW PGA Championship aged 20 having been the first player to capture three DP World Tour titles as a teenager.
The highlight of McIlroy’s round was an eight-iron to 15 feet to set up an eagle on the par-five first, his tenth hole of the day, but the World Number Three – who grew up in nearby Holywood – covered his remaining eight holes in one over to join the group at four under par.
Six players are then at three under, while Shubhankar Sharma tied the course record with his six under par round of 65 to join the further group of six players at two under par.
Player quotes
Matteo Manassero: I played really well. I’m so happy of how I handled myself in difficult conditions this afternoon. So really, really good. I mean, there’s not much you can do. You have to hit good shots and the way the golf course is, you need to start it on the right place with the right trajectory, the right shape. Otherwise it’s just not good enough. So I’m really happy the way I’ve played and obviously with the score.
Links golf makes you hit really difficult shots. Everything has that to be right but there needs to be a lot of instinct because you can’t really make or add everything up before the shot and then execute it. It needs to be a little bit of both, seeing it and doing it.
Laurie Canter: I’m happy. I’ve sort of stuck with it. Felt like I kept my wits about me because there’s obviously a lot of trouble up and around the greens and off the tees, and a lot of blind shots and stuff. I don’t feel like I’ve played lights out but I’ve played really smart. A couple of good saves and sort of stuck in there. So under par for 36 around here is good golf.
I think this is really going to be a patience test. You need to know the golf course, know where you’re hitting it. Me and my caddie have done a lot of homework the last three days. I think we’ve got a good plan, but we’re going to need a good plan, execute well and need a bit of luck. I think if I get those three things and any type of chance on Sunday, I’ll feel more confident than I did before I won, put it that way.
There’s obviously some pretty good players. Taking Rory on at County Down is going to be a bit of a task. But let’s give it a go.
Rory McIlroy: It’s always good for a National Open for the home guys to be playing well. I saw Shane (Lowry) shot a couple under today. Tom (McKibbin) played great, too. Got himself in for the weekend. I’m not too far out of it either. Always good to have that home interest and it will get the crowd going over the weekend.
I always play my best when I’m having fun and staying relaxed. It’s easy with Tom, Harry on the bag, the three of us go back a long way. It’s easy to stay relaxed and have fun. It will probably be a little more difficult over the weekend to stay in that frame of mind but I know that’s the frame of mind I do need to stay in.
I’m excited to have that support. Had a decent chance at The K Club last year as well. I feel like I’m fortunate, I get great support everywhere I go. But when I come home, not far from where I grew up, especially with a chance to win the tournament, I’m excited to play in that atmosphere over the weekend.
