Paddy in the hunt in Omega Masters

Pádraig Harrington sent his penultimate shot a dozen rows deep into a final hole grandstand but then chipped-in for birdie to be just three strokes from the lead after two rounds of the Omega European Masters.

Harrington had thinned a 127-meter fairway bunker shot that flew a water hazard and then the green before striking a middle-aged woman on the elbow. The Dublin er then took a free drop and holed his 10-foot wedge shot in a round of 65 for a seven under par tally, right behind Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (65) and Dane Thomas Bjorn (66) who share the lead on 10-under par.

Harrington then sought out the spectator to present her with a signed ball before heading to the scorer’s hut with his equal lowest score in 16 rounds of the Crans-sur-Sierre course.

Harrington had arrived back to Switzerland for the first time since 2000, declaring he was competing just for the Ryder Cup points on offer.

Now the 42-year old is staring at becoming only the second Irishman to climb to the summit in the 90-year-old event.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s senior golfers made history yesterday by reaching the finals of both the men’s and women’s European Team Championships and today bid for gold medals.

The men survived a titanic semi-final struggle in Hungary with Scotland edging home 3-2 thanks to a last-green victory by former Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey while in Bled, Slovenia the women upset the form book to coast past top seeds Netherlands without losing a game.

For the second successive day Cork’s Tom Cleary and Michael Quirke of Doneraile were in fine foursomes form sweeping to a 3&2 top of the order win over Lindsay Gordon and David Gardiner having always been in command.

At the bottom of the order Adrian Morrow was also very impressive in overwhelming Lindsay Blair 5&4.

With Maurice Kelly and Arthur Pierse losing their games it all depended on McGimpsey’s match and he prevailed on the home green.

Ireland will today face Sweden as they continue their quest for a third title in seven years.

The women, who have not appeared in the final of the Euro Championship since it was inaugurated seven years ago, produced an amazing performance to storm home 4½-½ winners.

Italy now stand between Ireland a first European title.