Harrington four off top at Abu Dhabi

Padraig Harrington put himself into contention at the Abu Dhabi Championship today charging to a 66 to sit four off the lead after having opened with only a 71.

Anxious to get finished before the light went, the Dubliner played the last two holes at speed – out of character for a man once described by Retief Goosen as “no boy racer” – and birdied them both.

Harrington, still the holder of the Claret Jug and now the US PGA as well, is behind leaders Graeme Storm and Richard Green who are at 11 under.

Storm blasted a 64 containing an eagle and seven birdies, while playing partner Green finished with a 65.

“We always play well together,” said Storm, who took time off to work on his fitness with the same trainer who has helped Lee Westwood back into the world’s top 10.

Australian Green is looking to climb back into the world’s top 50 in time for The Masters in April – he is currently 63rd – and his performance revived memories of his play-off victory over Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam in nearby Dubai 12 years ago.

Ryder Cup team-mate and newly-wed Paul Casey, whose victory in the event two years ago was his last win, went one better than Harrington and on 10 under is joint third with Londoner Anthony Wall.

Nineteen-year-old Rory McIlroy is only two back and Colin Montgomerie matched his best round of last season with a 67 for five under.

Montgomerie was then inundated with questions about whether, as reported, he is a contender for the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy rather than 2014 if favourite Jose Maria Olazabal turns it down.

The 45-year-old, having said it would be “a shame” if fellow Scot Sandy Lyle did not get the job, is part of the committee deciding the issue in two weeks’ time.

So has an offer been made? “At this stage it has not,” he said, while adding that it would be “an honour” to be selected.

World number two Sergio Garcia’s 71 left him eight adrift and Masters champion Trevor Immelman is alongside him following a 69.

Just under 30 players have still to complete their second rounds, so the halfway cut will not be decided until the morning. It will be either two under or one under and, either way, Ryder Cup stars Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez miss out.