Shubhankar Sharma and Jordan Smith share the lead at the Horizon Irish Open as the pair sit on 13 under par after 36 holes at The K Club.
Overnight leader Sharma followed his opening round 65 with a six under par 66 and he was joined on 13 under par by Smith, who matched Sharma’s opening round seven under par score on the Palmer North Course.
Related: Shubhankar early leader at Irish Open
Sharma, who is seeking his first DP World Tour victory since 2018, went out in just 28 strokes as he made the turn seven under par on the day, he then came home one over par after two bogeys and a birdie on his back nine.
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Smith, who won his second DP World Tour title at last year’s Portugal Masters, carded nine birdies and a double bogey in his round of 65.
The pair sit one stroke ahead of Englishman Ross Fisher, who went bogey-free after signing for a second consecutive round of 66, with Germany’s Hurly Long occupying fourth place on 11 under par.
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In fifth is Scotsman Calum Hill, who carded three eagles and three birdies in his round of 65.
Shane Lowry leads the home charge and is ninth on eight under par.
Player Quotes
Shubhankar Sharma: “It was a really quick start. Very early morning start for us, so I was a bit sleepy in the morning. I managed to make a lot of putts on the front nine. I had nine single putts which was amazing. I don’t think I’ve done that before. Everything was just going nicely. I was hitting it in the right spots and I was really good inside ten feet. So it all came together.”
Jordan Smith: “I’m really, really happy. Double on 17 but it is what it is, and I didn’t really affect me too much. Sort of took my time with the shots and just a little bit unlucky but it is what it is. It’s part of golf. I had a good chance and I birdied the last and unfortunately just missed the fairway but had a bit of a dodgy lie and had to lay up and made the most of it.
“I knew a good score was out there and yeah, like I said, I just played how I did yesterday, great tee-to-green and managed to hole a fair few putts which is nice.”
