Harrington roars into lead

Padraig Harrington made a superb start to the second round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship as he displaced overnight leader Phillip Archer at the top of the early leaderboard at 10 under par.

Last year’s European Tour Order of Merit winner carded a five-under 31 after nine holes, making five birdies, including three in succession from the 10th, and then added another on the first, his 10th hole, to go one shot ahead of Archer, who tees off in the afternoon.

In fine conditions at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton, Nick O’Hern and 2005 Volvo Masters of Asia winner Shiv Kapur also enjoyed good starts.

They both moved to third on the leaderboard as O’Hern carded three birdies while Kapur shot five.

After climbing up to joint second by the end of the first day’s play yesterday, Henrik Stenson made par at his halfway stage, carding a bogey on the par four 13th and then a birdie on the 16th.

Birdies on the 17th and 18th helped Paul Casey to go three under after completing the back nine while Paul Lawrie made steady progress after a good round yesterday by carding two birdies after 11 holes.