Pádraig Harrington the great Irish hope

The king is dead. Long live the king.

Well not quite, but with Rory McIlroy missing the cut and Graeme McDowell following quickly behind, the home crowd will be looking to veteran Pádraig Harrington to lead the chase of leaders Benjamin Herbert and Daniel Im at tight and tricky Portstewart.

While Paul Dunne leads the Irish challenge, just five shots off the pace on eight under par after his 69, Harrington is one stroke further back and hopeful he can find some weekend inspiration and fire a pair of 65s to give the pace-setters a fright.