GOLF/US TOUR ST JUDE CLASSIC:PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON was right on the cut mark as the second round of the FedEx St Jude Classic came to a close last night while Sweden's Robert Karlsson roared to the top of the leaderboard early in the day.

Three bogeys in his opening seven holes pushed Harrington out to three over, but birdies on the eighth and 16th got him back inside the then projected cut mark as he stood on the 18th tee.

The Dubliner found water off the tee and could only manage a bogey five at the last as he signed for a two-over-par 72 that left him on the same mark for the tournament. But, as later starters struggled, the projected cut moved to that mark.

Swede Karlsson, who lost to Lee Westwood in a play-off last year, went around TPC Southwind in a five-under-par 65 to be nine under for the tournament. At the end of Karlsson’s round his nearest challenger was former American Walker Cup player, Colt Knost, who was three shots adrift.

World number two Westwood endured a difficult day, highlighted by a double-bogey six at 12, as he carded an even-par 70 to leave him eight shots off the pace.

Karlsson began the round a stroke behind overnight leader David Mathis, who had dropped back into a share of fifth place after a 72, and the Swede shot ahead with four birdies in a flawless first nine.

The 41-year-old, who began his round on the back nine, then began his return home with birdie at the first and another at six had moved him four shots clear.

And while a first blemish at the par-three eighth meant he could not maintain that advantage, the Swede had set the benchmark.

It was his sixth straight under par round on the course after opening with a 66.

“I like this golf course and I played quite well over two days, and I scored well and I just like this place,” said Karlsson. “I hit a lot of good iron shots today, gave myself quite a few easy birdies.”