Three bogeys in his closing four holes saw Damien Mooney come back towards the field at the end of the second round of the €30,000 Ladbrokes Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint Golf Club today.
The big-hitter from Belfast finished with a one-over-par 73 for five under and he was later joined on that mark by national coach Neil Manchip, who carded a level-par 72 as he bids to add to the title he won at The Island back in 1999.
In tougher scoring conditions where only one player shot in the 60s, David Mortimer added his second straight 70 to lie one shot off the lead, while tournament favourite Damien McGrane was alongside Barry Trainor on three under after he also shot a 70.
Shane Lowry, winner of the Irish Open at neighbouring Baltray, fired a level-par 72 to join Waterville’s David Higgins (71) and Kilkenny’s Jimmy Bolger (70) on two under.
Course co-designer Des Smyth couldn’t match the fireworks of his opening 69 and had to settle for a 75 that leaves him on level par alongside Glen Robinson of St Helen’s Bay.