O'Malley establishes one shot lead

Australian Peter O’Malley found conditions to his liking as he established a one-shot lead on the second day of the Murphy’s Irish Open.

The 37-year-old added a 67 to his opening 66 for a halfway total of nine-under-par 133, one better than Sweden’s Carl Petersson.

"It is playing almost like a course in Australia with firm greens, firm fairways and a bit of wind. The rough is not too severe. I enjoy playing here," said O’Malley.

O’Malley has missed only three fairways in two rounds as he bids to add the title to previous victories in the Scottish and English Opens.

Petersson was a model of consistency as he compiled a bogey-free 67 for the second day in a row.

He said: "No mistakes yesterday and no mistakes today. Eight birdies, four each day, and no bogeys. That can’t be bad for 36 holes. I am playing pretty good."

Petersson already has one win this season to his credit at the Portuguese Open and has posted four other top-five finishes in a consistent campaign which has seen him climb to 13th on the Order of Merit.

Des Smyth, Mark Pilkington and Richard Johnson share third place on seven under par, with American Fred Funk one shot further back on six under.

Former champion Ian Woosnam carded a fine 66 to move to five under par and home favourite Padraig Harrington improved to three under with a round of 68.

Of the later starters, playing partners Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood both picked up an early to move to five-under-par after three.

Two of the overnight joint overnight leaders, Nick Dougherty and Joakim Haeggman, were still at five under in the early stages of their second round.