Ireland share lead in World Cup qualifying

Irish pair Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey share the lead at the halfway stage of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Aruba.

Three clear after a fourball 62, the two added only a 73 in the foursomes and were caught by Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari.

Five teams go through to the World Cup in China in November. Ireland were forced to qualify when Open champion Padraig Harrington declared himself unavailable and Maybin and Hoey were called in when Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell, Darrren Clarke and others all turned down the event in the Caribbean.

Second round totals:

135 Italy 66 69, Ireland 62 73

137 Puerto Rica 67 70, Paraguay 66 71, Guatemala 65 72

138 Bermuda 67 71

139 Venezuela 68 71

141 Brazil 69 72

142 Czech Republic 70 72, Colombia 69 73

143 Jamaica 69 74, Chile 68 75, Bahamas 67 76

146 Mexico 68 78

147 Peru 69 78, Ecuador 70 78

152 El Salvador 68 84

169 Serbia 80 89