Intro:

There is a five way tie for the lead in Country Down as Rory McIlroy shot level par, but still misses the cut in the Irish Open on Friday (29 May).

Script:

A blustery and showery day greeted the players for Round 2 for the Irish Open at County Down in Northern Ireland.

One of the loudest cheers of the day came here at the seventh.

Rory Mcllroy with his first birdie for the tournament. 

However No 1 missed this putt to a card a double bogey at 15 and finish on plus nine after two rounds. Meaning he missed the cut.

Compatriot Darren Clarke sank a lengthy birdie putt at the 15th hole.

The Ryder Cup captain enjoyed an impressive round of 72, one-over-par, to make the cut at five-over-par overall. 

Further up the leaderboard, Rickie Fowler continued to impress. 

He enjoyed a second even par round of 71 to sit four shots off the lead at the midway stage. 

At one point, Padraig Harrington was seven-under-par, but he dropped six shots on the back nine. 

Despite that, Harrington sits at two-under-par as he continues to push for his second Irish Open trophy. 

Level with him at two shots off the lead is Luke Donald. 

His second shot into the 12th gave him one of five birdies in a one under 70.

One of the six co-leaders at -3 is Bernd Wiesberger.

The Austrian carding a -4 under 67 and finished with eagle at the last to head into the weekend's action.