The icing on an excellent day for the Irish at the British Open was provided by Padraig Harrington as he moved into a share of the clubhouse after the second round at Muirfield.
The Dubliner, fifth in the Masters and eighth in the US Open this year, joins South Africa’s Ernie Els and Japan's Shigeki Maruyama at the top of a tightly bunched leaderboard on six under par.
Drogheda’s Des Smyth moved one stroke behind the leaders after a 69 while a 67 moved Darren Clarke right back into contention on three under par.
On an exciting, if damp, second day Els fell just one shot short of a major championship record which has stood for 19 years at the Open today.
The 28 which Manchester professional Denis Durnian produced on Birkdale's front nine in 1983 has been matched only by American Brad Faxon at the 1995 US PGA since.
Els birdied all but the fourth and seventh holes - both par threes - in his second round at Muirfield to turn in 29.
"It was quite amazing really," he said. "I couldn't do anything wrong."
The big South African led by three at that point, having started the day three behind, but he managed only 37 for the inward half to drop back to six under alongside Harrington and Maruyama.
Only two shots back lurks world number one Tiger Woods, hoping to win his third straight Major as he shoots for the Grand Slam.
Also two shots back is Colin Montgomerie who had the round of the day. The burly Scot fired a seven-under 64 to bring alive his chances. He shot a three-over 74 on Thursday and looked like heading for an early trip back home.