Price and Fulke withdraw

Rafferty was disqualified for hitting wrong ball

Two of Europe's Ryder Cup side for The Belfry in two months' time withdrew from the Smurfit European Open during their second rounds at the rain-soaked K Club near Dublin.

Sweden's Pierre Fulke, in last place after his opening 82, withdrew after eight more holes complaining of a wrist problem.

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Then playing partner Phillip Price, eight over par himself, lasted only two more holes before quitting with a neck injury.

Their departure followed the disqualification of Ronan Rafferty for playing the wrong ball at the 7th.

Kiwi in front

American Fred Funk dropped back from the threeball in front so that Michael Campbell, who had been playing with Fulke and Price, had someone to mark his card.

The New Zealander is the clubhouse leader at five under after adding a 71 to the 68 he struck in his opening round.

Barry Lane, without a win for eight years, was only a stroke behind after also scoring 71.

Another in contention was joint overnight leader Darren Fichardt.

The South African had two birdies and two bogeys in his first four holes, but another birdie at the 16th - his seventh - took him to the top of the leaderboard again.

Fulke did have two birdies before he quit, but there was a triple bogey six on the 213-yard 14th and another six at the long 16th to leave him 12 over.

Colin Montgomerie, in the group handily placed on three under, was among the later starters, as was Australian Greg Norman on the same mark.

Defending champion Darren Clarke, who had a disappointing opening round of 74, had improved to level par with seven holes to play.