Padraig Harrington fought his way back into contention for the European Open at the K Club in Dublin today.

At two over par with seven holes of his second round to go the world number 10, chasing a notable double following his Irish Open victory in May, was in danger of missing the halfway cut on two over par.

But three birdies lifted him to one under with a 68 and with the leaders only five ahead of him Harrington had not given up hope of landing the £400,000 first prize.

He then revealed: "I really didn't think I was going to play yesterday. I was struggling.  I hurt my left knee and if it had been as bad as it was for the last four holes of the pro-am on Wednesday I wouldn't have played.

"I couldn't go through all my exercises when I got up yesterday, but after it warmed up and I had some anti-inflammatories and treatment it was fine.

"I took the strapping off today because it was swelling up at the back of the knee. I don't think it's anything to worry about — normally it goes away pretty quickly."

Ryder Cup partner Paul McGinley had to wait to see if he had qualified for the final two rounds, however, after a second successive 71 for two over.

Newly-crowned US Open champion Angel Cabrera was also two over after 10 holes, but he birdied the next two and parred in from there for a 69 and level par aggregate. That looked perfectly safe.

Sweden's Pelle Edberg leads on eight under par after a second round 65.  He leads Holland's Maarten
Lafeber by two shots.

Full report to follow. . .