McIlroy takes inspiration from Harrington

Dunhill Links Championship: Rory McIlroy moved to within one shot of the lead at the Dunhill Links Championship following today's impressive 69 at Carnoustie and said he will take inspiration from Pádraig Harrington. At seven-under par the Holywood teenager shares second behind Austria's Marcus Brier.

The 19-year-old reached the turn in level par 36 before his round kicked into gear with three birdies on the trot from the 10th. He holed another birdie putt at the 17th, by which point he was leading the tournament on eight-under.

However, the notorious 18th at Carnoustie came back to bite McIlroy as he closed with a bogey for a seven-under 137 aggregate at the halfway stage on a course where he won the silver medal as leading amateur at last year's British Open which Harrington won.

Brier was competing on the Old Course at St Andrews where he steered a steady course and closed with a birdie for a second round 70 to set the pace on eight-under 136.

McIlroy is in the chasing pack alongside Germany's Martin Kaymer (72), Ryder Cup pair Soren Hansen (73) and Sweden's Robert Karlsson, who was playing alongside Harrington at St Andrews.
 
Two-time winner Harrington (2002,2006) is next best of the Irish on six-under. The Dubliner failed to build on yesterday's fine 67 at Kingsbarns but a closing birdie meant he dipped under par for the first time in a round of 71.

McIlroy said he will take inspiration from Harrington as he attempts to win his first European Tour title. He looked set to break his duck in the Omega European Masters at the start of last month, taking a four-shot lead into the final round only to lose out to Jean-Francois Lucquin in a play-off. He would have been the third youngest winner in European Tour history had he won in Switzerland.

"Pádraig called me over on Wednesday and said 'hard luck' and that he knew how it (the play-off defeat) felt, we've all blown tournaments that we should have won.

"He's been second on tour 29 times and learnt how to win. He hasn't had a second place for three years. He told me to keep getting experience, get yourself up there again and you'll win.

"The more you are there the more you will learn and you'll close it out."

McIlroy finished second in this event last year in just his second event since turning professional, earning enough money to secure his European Tour card for 2008.

"I'm doing as well as last year, I would love to repeat that finish and even go better," the former European amateur champion said.

"I need to get into position first to have a chance to do that. If I do I'm sure my recent experience in Switzerland will help me.

"It didn't quite happen for me then but I'm playing well again this week and I've probably got the easiest course of the three tomorrow. I know the top guys are having to come here to Carnoustie so if I can go out at Kingsbarns and do well I could be right up there."

Of the other Irish contingent Peter Lawrie finished on three-under following his 71 at Kingsbarns.

Graeme McDowell unravelled much of yesterday's good work - a 68 at Kingsbarns - as the 29-year-signed for a three-over 75 at St Andrews to be one-under for the tournament.

Damien McGrane shot 74 at Kingsbarns to be one-over while Darren Clarke's 74 at the Old Course left him two-over, two better than Paul McGinley (74).