Amgen Irish Open - Day two digest

Everything you need to know from day two at Royal County Down.

Matteo Manassero hit the front, home hopes rested with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry and Alejandro Del Rey made a flying start on day two of the Amgen Irish Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Royal County Down.

Manassero the man to catch

Manassero claimed the halfway lead after a brilliant second-round 66. He made a perfect start as he eagled the first after a brilliant second from 226 yards to seven feet. Further birdies at the second and third, from 15 and 32 feet respectively, saw him catch the clubhouse leaders before dropping shot at the next after finding rough from the tee. A birdie from 18 feet put Manassero back in a share of the lead and he soon went clear with a second eagle of the day, tapping in on the par-five 12th after a majestic approach from 216 yards. An errant tee shot on the 13th saw Manassero's lead halved, but he parred his way in to remain the man to catch this weekend. “I played really well,” said Manassero. “I’m so happy with how I handled myself in difficult conditions this afternoon. There’s not much you can do, you have to hit good shots and the way the course is you need to start it on the right place with the right shape, the right trajectory, otherwise it’s just not good enough. Links golf makes you hit really difficult shots, everything has to be right. It takes a lot of energy out of you, but when you’re playing well the adrenaline kicks in and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

McIlroy pleased to be in contention

McIlroy was glad to be in a strong position heading into the weekend despite feeling he was not at his best in round two. The home hero carried some momentum into day two having finished his opening round with three birdies but had to wait for an eagle at the first - his tenth - to ignite his round of 70. "The conditions were quite benign for the first probably 11 or 12 holes," he said. "Felt like I could have done a little more to take advantage of them. But then once the sun sort of went away, it got a little colder again and the wind picked up and then those last few holes are playing quite difficult. Felt like I left a couple of shots out there but still in a good position heading into the weekend. Much better than nine years ago when I was watching the third round on TV. Happy to be here for the weekend and happy to give myself a chance."

Lowry hoping for Sunday showdown with McIlroy

Shane Lowry set his sights on a Sunday showdown with Rory McIlroy after the headline attractions played their way into contention. Lowry added a second round of 69 to his opening 72 for a halfway total of one under par, with McIlroy’s 70 leaving him four under. “I know I can go and give it a run,” said Lowry, who won the title in 2009 while still an amateur. "I think it’s what the tournament wants and needs. Obviously myself, and Rory is up there. It would be great if the two of us could give it a run on Sunday. You never know. It would be nice to go toe-to-toe on Sunday. We’ll see. It’s up to me to get myself there. I’m pretty sure he’ll get there anyway.”

Eagle leads to flying start

Alejandro Del Rey needed no time to warm up as he hit a 258-yard approach to the par-five first to 17 feet and holed for eagle. A level-par 71 left the Spaniard four under going into the weekend.

On your marks...

When a pitch goes wrong, the last thing you need is the ball hitting your own bag. Luckily Thriston Lawrence's caddie was alert.