Holder Harrington leads Irish PGA

Padraig Harrington has been struggling badly in recent months

Defending champion Padraig Harrington leads the Irish PGA Championship at the halfway stage after hitting a second-round 70 at the European Club.

Harrington moved to four under par which leaves him a shot ahead of overnight leader, Dundalk club pro Leslie Walker who fired a 72 on Friday.

Banbridge player Richard Kilpatrick is the only other player under par , two shots behind Harrington.

Harrington is using the event as links practice before next week's Open.

The preparation has worked splendidly over the past two years as he triumphed at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale a week after winning the Irish event.

Harrington is bidding for his sixth success in his national championship, which would boost his confidence for his Open defence after some dreadful recent form.

"I can't complain about my score but my play got gradually worse as the round went on," said Harrington after his round on Friday.

"Hopefully it will be better tomorrow and I'm not going to panic over one day.

"I seemed to lose the rhythm of my swing and it gradually got worse as the round progressed."

Playing the back nine first, he reached the turn in two under with birdies at the 10th and 13th.

He made another birdie at the long third before losing strokes at the par-four fourth and short sixth where he found water.

Walker had just seven pars on his card that showed six birdies, three bogeys and two double-bogeys.

With Europro Tour player Kilpatrick on two under, Englishman Simon Thornton is next best on level par while Brendan McGovern is a further shot back on one over.