:00:07. > :00:13.It's been a pulsating start to the Irish Open, as the north coast
:00:13. > :00:16.plays host to Ireland's major championship. To win it at Royal
:00:16. > :00:21.Portrush in front of my family and friends would be the icing on the
:00:21. > :00:26.cake. It would be right up there. Feeling wise, it as close to a
:00:26. > :00:30.major as you can get. It would be huge, to give me a boost of
:00:30. > :00:34.confidence, and get my season right up there. The tournament returns to
:00:34. > :00:39.Northern Ireland for the first time in almost 60 years. The famous maul
:00:39. > :00:49.did not do any damage to their title ambition after the first
:00:49. > :00:56.day's play. -- four. Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy are both thrilled
:00:56. > :01:01.to be on their home course, in front of their home fans. The man
:01:01. > :01:11.who started this at Irish golfing revolution, portrait Harrington, is
:01:11. > :01:16.
:01:16. > :01:22.showing some impressive form at his favourite venue. -- for Drake
:01:22. > :01:31.Harrington. Rory McIlroy is very much in contention. The men they
:01:31. > :01:39.are chasing are the pace-setters, Singh from India, and Gregory
:01:39. > :01:49.Bourdy. Welcome to Royal Portrush, for day two of the Irish Open.
:01:49. > :01:49.
:01:49. > :01:54.After a typical opening day when the rain came, the son shone,
:01:54. > :01:58.thankfully today has been a bit better. There have been capacity
:01:58. > :02:03.crowds, people queuing from 6am in the morning to see the golfing
:02:03. > :02:08.stars, including Darren Clarke, who has been acting as an ambassador
:02:08. > :02:18.for this tournament, long before his triumph last year when he
:02:18. > :02:49.
:02:49. > :02:57.brought the famous claret jug back It's obviously at my heart, I love
:02:57. > :03:02.Royal Portrush. I love the whole area. It's an unbelievably special
:03:02. > :03:12.place, all the locals, the whole area, has got it right behind it.
:03:12. > :03:25.
:03:25. > :03:31.For everyone, for myself, it will There has been a lot of work behind
:03:31. > :03:37.the scenes, the European Tour, all of those involved, the members at
:03:37. > :03:41.Royal Portrush, to get the Irish Open to come here, a wonderful,
:03:41. > :03:51.wonderful achievement. The politicians both side of the border
:03:51. > :03:59.
:03:59. > :04:06.have got it together, it's a We are riding the crest of a wave
:04:06. > :04:11.to have the tournament here. To have it as the best course in the
:04:11. > :04:16.country is a massive achievement. Darren Clarke's championship medal
:04:16. > :04:21.sits proudly in the clubhouse here, he has been attracting massive
:04:21. > :04:28.galleries. He is not the leading Irishman on the leader board, that
:04:28. > :04:38.honour falls to Padraig Harrington. The defending champion, Simon Dyson,
:04:38. > :04:42.
:04:42. > :04:44.and Ross Fisher are well placed. Rory McIlroy is also in the chase.
:04:44. > :04:50.Rory McIlroy is also in the chase. He was one of the early starters,
:04:50. > :04:58.he teed off at the 10th hole. Three birdies on his front nine, and this
:04:58. > :05:06.shot at the par five, number nine, helped him. Darren Clarke had this
:05:06. > :05:11.at the same hole. It ended up to be a fourth birdie of the round. He
:05:11. > :05:20.wasn't doing as well as Lorenzo Gagli, he had six birdies in his
:05:20. > :05:29.first 10 holes, followed by this tee shot at the par-three 11th. It
:05:29. > :05:35.was almost an ace for the Italian. He picked up where he left off
:05:35. > :05:45.yesterday, finding his range very quickly. He is four under for the
:05:45. > :05:51.
:05:51. > :06:01.day after 10 holes. Gagli and to join our commentary team with
:06:01. > :06:08.
:06:08. > :06:18.Rory McIlroy. He is at the 5th hole. It sounded
:06:18. > :06:22.
:06:22. > :06:32.good. It pitched into the hill. look to Jamie Donaldson of Wales.
:06:32. > :06:42.Some lovely golf today. He is tied for third. He needed to get that a
:06:42. > :06:42.
:06:42. > :06:52.Little bit further, but it is working out perfectly. That was a
:06:52. > :06:53.
:06:53. > :07:03.fantastic pitch from Jamie Donaldson. The rain is starting to
:07:03. > :07:10.
:07:10. > :07:20.fall now. Trying to get back that drop shot at the 15th. -- dropped.
:07:20. > :07:21.
:07:21. > :07:31.A combination of wind and rain as we look at Gregory Bourdy. There
:07:31. > :07:46.
:07:46. > :07:56.and you are off the cliff. It's amazing how often he goes for the
:07:56. > :08:22.
:08:22. > :08:32.all well under par. Darren Clarke has been working very hard with his
:08:32. > :08:33.
:08:33. > :08:43.coach over the last month or so. He let that one go a Little, he is
:08:43. > :08:50.going to have a very tricky shot. He has had a groin injury which has
:08:50. > :09:00.been boring him over the last month also. Bradley at the 5th, his a
:09:00. > :09:10.
:09:10. > :09:20.birdie. This is an interesting Little shot, isn't it? You can't
:09:20. > :09:30.
:09:30. > :09:40.see how it's lying, of course that's how you do it. Gregory
:09:40. > :09:44.
:09:44. > :09:48.Bourdy is leading from one stroke from Lorenzo Gagli. McIlroy, he was
:09:48. > :09:58.65 yards from the green with his driver, he will be hoping for a
:09:58. > :10:24.
:10:24. > :10:34.three here. A missed opportunity. Francesco Molinari for a par three.
:10:34. > :10:41.
:10:41. > :10:51.Safely done. Still no bogeys for him today. The wind is coming in
:10:51. > :11:06.
:11:06. > :11:16.off the left. That's not a nice spot, a very steep bank. We go to
:11:16. > :11:33.
:11:33. > :11:39.Jamie Donaldson. Second shot on the 16th. This is such a deep hollow,
:11:39. > :11:49.he can't see anything. He just has to aim for the distance. He has
:11:49. > :12:06.
:12:06. > :12:16.plenty of green to work with, but he has to hit it. Visualisation.
:12:16. > :12:23.
:12:23. > :12:33.Gagli at the 16th. He has got the radar working today, the young
:12:33. > :12:36.
:12:36. > :12:46.Italian. This is me go for London - - this is Mikko Ilonen, of Finland.
:12:46. > :12:53.
:12:53. > :13:03.He was a Little wide. A lot of pars for him. He's just a three behind
:13:03. > :13:03.
:13:03. > :14:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:14:06. > :14:16.yesterday. -- two. Let's hope he does that have another stumble.
:14:16. > :14:40.
:14:40. > :14:50.impressive from Gregory Bourdy, Almost seven. A very strong finish
:14:50. > :15:27.
:15:27. > :15:32.towards the end of the last season here. Down towards the breeze. It
:15:32. > :15:42.depends on the life. It will cut to the back of the green. It could
:15:42. > :15:42.
:15:42. > :16:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:16:25. > :16:32.have hit for the same price. It disappointing drop shot on the par-
:16:32. > :16:42.three sixth hole, but a very good birdie there. A great putt for the
:16:42. > :17:04.
:17:04. > :17:13.birdie. He is on par three today, Bradley that Bradley Keegan has
:17:13. > :17:20.Irish Irish relatives. He came here I am having such a great time, I
:17:20. > :17:26.came to check out the golf course. I went to see the Giant's Causeway.
:17:26. > :17:36.I went to the Bush knows whisky brewery. Did you sample and he?
:17:36. > :17:39.no, I just went for a drive. It has been great. I came out here and I
:17:39. > :17:49.was on the 17th: They couldn't believe it. It is bigger than the
:17:49. > :17:58.
:17:58. > :18:00.house I grew up in. You do not want I plan on next time coming a little
:18:01. > :18:06.early and disdain later so I can enjoy it a little more and go
:18:06. > :18:10.travel. Next time, I plan to do that. We use spread the word to
:18:10. > :18:16.your countrymen about Northern Ireland? -- we you spread the word?
:18:16. > :18:26.Yes, I will bring some guys with me next year, they are missing out. It
:18:26. > :18:50.
:18:50. > :19:00.Jamie Donaldson. Four under par for his round with a double-bogey. Lots
:19:00. > :19:31.
:19:31. > :19:37.of birdies, and another one on the We are nature on the eight two,
:19:37. > :19:45.Himalayas, that has been extended in the last few years. -- we are
:19:45. > :19:51.here on No. 8. It has been extended by 70 yards. That players will
:19:51. > :19:58.drive into a narrow section of the fairway. A long, demanding drive to
:19:58. > :20:04.get into position to see the green for the second shot. The black-and-
:20:05. > :20:14.white Paul Max the position of the green. -- black and white Paul
:20:15. > :20:15.
:20:15. > :21:29.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:21:29. > :21:36.but should be a part of four. -- A fabulous shot. Absolutely
:21:36. > :21:46.Fabulous. From the rough, again, through the wind, it switched it to
:21:46. > :22:14.
:22:14. > :22:24.as we have just seen. -- the pitch if it had not found that bunker. It
:22:24. > :22:55.
:22:55. > :23:05.every shot to pieces someone, but that shot pleased everyone. --
:23:05. > :23:19.
:23:19. > :23:29.that in for a round of 66. Excellent effort. Not a very good
:23:29. > :24:03.
:24:03. > :24:13.chip from Gregory Bourdy to the closing birdie. He matches Cabrera
:24:13. > :24:34.
:24:34. > :24:44.ninth. The birdie chance. Go on. The round of 71. Level par,
:24:44. > :24:45.
:24:45. > :24:53.unlikely to be enough to stay around for the weekend. Rory,
:24:53. > :24:57.meanwhile... It depends on the conditions this afternoon. This
:24:57. > :25:07.golf course is still pretty storable, even when the conditions
:25:07. > :25:12.
:25:12. > :25:18.are not great. -- scorable. I will have the deficit going in, but I
:25:18. > :25:23.have made it up before. I think it will take something as there was a
:25:23. > :25:29.61, but if I can get myself into contention with a 65 or something,
:25:29. > :25:33.that would be a great score and get me in there for Sunday. Many crowds
:25:33. > :25:39.following year, lots of expectation, have you enjoyed this or is there
:25:39. > :25:44.too much pressure? No, I have enjoyed it. The last few years I
:25:44. > :25:48.have felt it as a bit of a burden with the expectation, but this year,
:25:48. > :25:52.I am trying to embrace it and accepted, and it is great to have
:25:52. > :25:58.many people had their winning the one hand wanting you to do very
:25:58. > :26:04.well and hit great shocks, it is a nice feeling. Would have liked to
:26:04. > :26:08.have been better, but 69, not bad today. Typical Portrush, sunburnt
:26:09. > :26:14.in the morning, soaked in the afternoon. Yes, a good start, made
:26:14. > :26:19.the most of it, then he bogey knocked the wind out of my sails,
:26:19. > :26:26.but kept myself going with a nice birdie. How tough were the last few
:26:26. > :26:30.holes? The rain coming down, and the breeze, but that his links golf.
:26:30. > :26:35.The great thing about Portrush, there are very few holes
:26:35. > :26:41.consecutive holes in the same direction of the wind. You have to
:26:41. > :26:46.refer to the yardage book can see where the windows. Changing hole
:26:46. > :26:53.after all, that is a strength of the golf course. How police are you
:26:53. > :26:57.with your form? It has been good. It has been fun. I played poorly in
:26:57. > :27:07.the last few years, and it is great to be back in contention and be
:27:07. > :27:21.
:27:21. > :27:31.back on the leaderboard, it is a Two very impressive days for Bourdy.
:27:31. > :27:34.
:27:34. > :27:42.The afternoon starters include Paul Lawrie. This long range eagle at
:27:42. > :27:47.the 9th. Beautifully done. He birdied it the 8th as well, moving
:27:47. > :27:57.on to seven under par. Graeme McDowell, meanwhile, so desperate
:27:57. > :27:59.
:27:59. > :28:04.to do well at his home course, he would make birdies at 10 and 11. He
:28:04. > :28:14.is at three under. Padraig Harrington, the leading Irishman,
:28:14. > :28:20.this shot into the 10th, already a couple under par. That took him to
:28:20. > :28:30.three under for his round, and eight under par, four shot behind
:28:30. > :28:30.
:28:30. > :29:31.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:29:31. > :29:41.bottom of his swing, that is we wanted, just at the bottom of the
:29:41. > :29:55.
:29:55. > :29:58.links golf is all about. The line is on the right hand side, because
:29:58. > :30:04.anything centre or left is going to kick into the rough on the left-
:30:04. > :30:10.hand side. A ball coming up a is going to catch the slope, and go
:30:10. > :30:14.all the way down to the centre of the fairway. It will leave the
:30:14. > :30:18.players in a better position for their shot. Having negotiated the
:30:18. > :30:25.second shot, they will find themselves at the green. It is a
:30:25. > :30:29.very small target, a plateau green. It falls away at the back, the
:30:29. > :30:33.front, at the right hand side, and particularly here on the left-hand
:30:33. > :30:43.side, where it falls into this difficult bunker, nobody will want
:30:43. > :31:22.
:31:22. > :31:32.problem at all, well done. That is another birdie. This for a par four.
:31:32. > :31:38.
:31:38. > :31:47.Getting. Well done. I think the most admirable way they -- Adam
:31:47. > :31:57.Moore thing about it is the way they have code of the conditions.
:31:57. > :31:57.
:31:57. > :32:07.Nearly up and down in two, a great shot. A McDowell at 12, Faure
:32:07. > :32:11.
:32:11. > :32:17.another birdie. -- for another birdie. That is a three in a row.
:32:17. > :32:27.Four in five holes. You would have backed him to hold that one, he
:32:27. > :32:32.
:32:32. > :32:42.could watch a Simon Dyson's putt. Well played. Harrington to nine
:32:42. > :32:51.
:32:51. > :32:58.under. There is McDowell up the hill. A lovely little hole, up and
:32:58. > :33:08.over the hill, and down to the green. I know that Shane thinks of
:33:08. > :33:12.
:33:12. > :33:22.it as his favourite. Harrington with a fairway metal 13th at the
:33:22. > :33:23.
:33:23. > :33:30.13th. Cutting across the angle. That is gorgeous. You could imagine
:33:30. > :33:40.how that would run in a really hot weather. Bourdy continues to lead
:33:40. > :33:52.
:33:52. > :34:02.the way, will anyone catch him? wind is pretty much of the left. --
:34:02. > :34:04.
:34:04. > :34:13.off. He should be looking at the flag. The striking is so good that
:34:13. > :34:18.they get the ball to check up, even in these conditions. You just get
:34:18. > :34:27.the feeling that Harrington is really in the mood for this, he is
:34:27. > :34:37.going to be dangerous this weekend. I see his odds tumbling. That might
:34:37. > :34:57.
:34:58. > :35:07.draw, but it's difficult to put spin on it. You don't want to give
:35:08. > :35:18.
:35:18. > :35:28.much left. A nasty little bunker there. Michael Hoey, down at the
:35:28. > :35:31.
:35:31. > :35:41.12th. Four under for today. Oh, yes! Birdie number five for the day.
:35:41. > :35:47.
:35:47. > :35:57.Moving very smoothly along to seven under par. Come on! There is a
:35:57. > :35:59.
:35:59. > :36:09.definite feel-good factor in this group, isn't there? Oh, yes!
:36:09. > :36:10.
:36:10. > :36:20.Harrington is taking a very firm base against bats strong breeze. --
:36:20. > :36:31.
:36:31. > :36:41.that. It could have been the wind that kept that one out. Jeev Milkha
:36:41. > :36:41.
:36:41. > :36:51.Singh, trying to stay at eight under at the 15th. One of those
:36:51. > :37:10.
:37:10. > :37:15.funny little holes, it is called would have tried to keep big well
:37:15. > :37:25.inside the hole. It's difficult with the wind, to keep yourself
:37:25. > :37:29.
:37:29. > :37:37.steady enough to start, it's easy to snatch the putter away. He has
:37:37. > :37:47.pulled his sale in, not using the whole surface area. Very wise. That
:37:47. > :37:50.
:37:50. > :38:00.looks like a driving iron. We have only been using half the name for
:38:00. > :38:05.
:38:05. > :38:15.this hole, it is Calamity Corner. That's the higher study three. It
:38:15. > :38:27.
:38:27. > :38:37.is the straightest as well. -- highest of there three. Michael
:38:37. > :38:38.
:38:38. > :38:44.Hoey, just behind of them at the 13th. Nicely on the green. The
:38:44. > :38:54.crowd is stopping the breeze a bit. Once it's on the green, the wind
:38:54. > :39:04.will have an effect. It might move it a little left to right. Boldly
:39:04. > :39:22.
:39:22. > :39:32.played. I think we can safely say, beautifully played. Hold your line.
:39:32. > :39:37.
:39:37. > :39:47.He won a Commonwealth medal, was involved in a photo finish. So many
:39:47. > :39:58.
:39:58. > :40:08.of these professional golfers come from sporting family's. -- families.
:40:08. > :40:08.
:40:08. > :40:18.I think I'll have to leave it Julian away from the book makers,
:40:18. > :40:41.
:40:41. > :40:47.the way he's talking about He won't be too unhappy, he has
:40:47. > :40:55.found a wet patch, that would help things. Slightly on the down side.
:40:55. > :41:02.Let's have a look again, he is a very strong man, not a tall man,
:41:02. > :41:12.but a strong man. The base get a little short at the top, comes in,
:41:12. > :41:13.
:41:13. > :41:23.drives hard, smashes it. A good effort. From 147 yards. Drifting
:41:23. > :41:29.
:41:29. > :41:39.left a little. The wind really hit that. Harrington seems to have got
:41:39. > :41:51.
:41:51. > :42:01.unlucky with his lie. He did not one that's going way up in the sky.
:42:01. > :42:11.Mark Foster, a fat grip of the putter. He looks comfortable.
:42:11. > :42:11.
:42:11. > :42:18.That's a great birdie to make. 10 under, within two. Well done, Mark.
:42:18. > :42:26.Just finding a wet patch in the bunker. No question he was trying
:42:26. > :42:34.to get it on the green. I still think it was an easier shot
:42:34. > :42:44.chipping from the apron. There are a few things to take into account.
:42:44. > :42:44.
:42:44. > :44:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:44:23. > :44:33.It is a little heavier when it's left? Yes. Nobody's favourite with
:44:33. > :44:33.
:44:33. > :46:14.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:46:14. > :46:21.a cracking drive to find the again, it is easy to lose
:46:22. > :46:31.concentration on those shots. You need to give it your full attention.
:46:32. > :46:32.
:46:32. > :47:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:47:33. > :47:43.the little hollow one the green. Like yesterday, it feels now as if
:47:43. > :48:06.
:48:06. > :48:16.Nadal. Get back there, he shouted. John Daly, a two-time major
:48:16. > :48:24.
:48:24. > :48:27.closing five holes from many of the leading groups. It's amazing, none
:48:27. > :48:37.of the groups that have followed have made a birdie in the last five
:48:37. > :48:37.
:48:37. > :50:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:50:16. > :50:26.six holes for Paul Lawrie. -- four Padraig Harrington. Beautifully
:50:26. > :50:51.
:50:51. > :51:01.and he elected to pay a three wood. Not passed Padraig Harrington by
:51:01. > :51:01.
:51:01. > :52:11.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 63 seconds
:52:11. > :52:21.away from the ramp. Moving to the hit that. It has been a grind.
:52:21. > :52:48.
:52:48. > :52:58.don't want to interrupt him, and champions moving on to the green.
:52:58. > :53:31.
:53:31. > :53:39.Another home favourite trying to a good rattle. And nice part four
:53:39. > :53:49.for reported Carrington, with a good finish. -- for a paltry
:53:49. > :54:04.
:54:04. > :54:14.his second European victory this weekend. A long time since the
:54:14. > :54:37.
:54:37. > :54:46.the local hero, born and bred here. Its fabulous round for him and a
:54:46. > :54:51.nice way to finish. Showing the camaraderie on the European Tour,
:54:51. > :55:01.the defending champion do lightly for his partners. -- delighted for
:55:01. > :55:09.
:55:09. > :55:13.Conditions were tricky, the rain was moving in, strong showers this
:55:13. > :55:19.afternoon, strong wind, but the first few holes, and is getting
:55:19. > :55:24.down in myself. Great crowds came out to support us all and I wasn't
:55:24. > :55:30.giving them much of a show, but thankfully, my long game has kept
:55:30. > :55:36.me on the last few days. I hit the ball very well. Thankfully I found
:55:36. > :55:41.by touching the greens. Four birdies in five holes. Nice to pick
:55:41. > :55:47.one up at the last. Hallowed you have to go tomorrow to get a
:55:47. > :55:52.realistic chance of winning this? Very low. 63, 64, something like
:55:52. > :55:55.that in the morning might give me an advance on Sunday afternoon. I
:55:55. > :56:05.need to play more aggressively tomorrow. Hopefully the pressure is
:56:05. > :56:06.
:56:06. > :56:11.off. I do not want to mess this up. Delighted with my comeback today.
:56:11. > :56:17.Looking forward to a good weekend. Michael, you're in the mix, what
:56:17. > :56:26.was the key today? A good rhythm, so nice butts, just quite relaxed.
:56:26. > :56:30.The crowds were massive. Did you feel the electricity? Yes, not just
:56:30. > :56:35.at the finish, every single hole. At credit to everyone. The weather
:56:35. > :56:40.has obviously not been great, suggest really enjoyed it. I played
:56:40. > :56:46.with Graham, and he is very much a home boy, but I am surprised how
:56:46. > :56:51.welcoming they were for me to. I was getting every bit as good
:56:51. > :56:54.support. It is really nice and I really appreciated it. What is the
:56:54. > :57:00.approach for the next few days? More of the same? It would be
:57:00. > :57:05.lovely if it was as easy as that. I will take it as it comes. You said
:57:05. > :57:10.you have already won macro and Irish Open, the pressure is off,
:57:10. > :57:14.are you under pressure? Absolutely not, I'm not adding to it by being
:57:14. > :57:18.in an Irish Open. Being in an Irish Open in Northern Ireland, it hasn't
:57:18. > :57:24.been here for so long, been here in Royal Portrush and with the crowds
:57:24. > :57:27.here, that makes it special. That is the end of a memorable day here
:57:27. > :57:32.at Royal Portrush. It is great to see their home-grown talent making
:57:32. > :57:36.such an impression on the leaderboard. Absolutely. The four
:57:36. > :57:42.major winners, it is important area for the weekend. There will be a
:57:42. > :57:49.lot of people here this weekend to seek Rory, Darren, Graham, Padraig
:57:49. > :57:54.Harrington, it is a big confidence boost for Rory. He has not had a
:57:54. > :57:57.great run the last few days. And for Darren, he is showing some
:57:57. > :58:03.great form. Played very nicely today, so would be better over the
:58:03. > :58:09.weekend. Border Carrington, leading the charge, looking very hot indeed.
:58:09. > :58:16.-- Padraig Harrington. Yes, playing very well. Also Graham, grade on
:58:16. > :58:21.the 18th hole, so they are right up there. A surprise package this week,
:58:21. > :58:26.people will think, Michael Hoey, but probably not. He knows this
:58:26. > :58:32.course inside out. Seven-under-par, five of the lead? Yes, a very
:58:32. > :58:37.strong player. He won the trophy at St Andrews last year in wonderful
:58:37. > :58:39.style and a former Northern Ireland champion also, so if the weather is