Padraig Harrington remains in contention for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after a topsy-turvy second round at Royal County Down.

Harrington started the day as the tournament leader, an impressive opening round 67 saw him lead the chasing pack.

A promising start saw the three time Major champion post six pars before he picked up shots on 16, 17 and the first, his seventh, eighth and 10th holes, to cruise into a five stroke lead.

Weather conditions reflected his form, after he passed the turn the wind began to pick up and ominous grey clouds rolled over the Mourne Mountains.

A testing back nine featured a run of bogey-double-bogey-bogey on the second, third and fourth.

The Dubliner’s good work had effectively unravelled and despite a birdie on the seventh, a bogey on the eighth saw him finish his round on two over.

He sits on two under for the tournament and is to be comfortably inside the projected cut for the weekend.

Elsewhere, Shane Lowry was forced to putt with his wedge after breaking his putter. The 2009 Irish Open winner finished the day on 74 three over par, posting a six over par for the tournament, just within the projected cut.