Golf:Brian Davis set the clubhouse target in the rain-delayed Houston Open after he hit the ground running in his second round in Humble, Texas. The Englishman followed up a 68 with a seven-under-par 65 to move to 11 under after 36 holes.

South African Louis Oosthuizen was on the same score with three to play, but Darren Clarke and Pádraig Harrington were both flirting with the projected cut mark of two under.

Both Irishmen finished their first rounds today, with Clarke level par for his first 18 and Harrington three under for his. The latter, however, was unable to build on his score through 12 second round holes, carding three birdies and as many bogeys.

Clarke was far more productive, reaching the turn in round two in three-under-par and was on the same score for the tournament through 14.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson shrugged of the delay to his first round to join the leaders on seven-under-par before pushing on after a quick turnaround.

The American left-hander, one under with 15 holes remaining when play was suspended on Thursday after thunderstorms swept across Redstone Golf Club, “played really well” on the way to matching the 65s shot Carl Pettersson and Angel Cabrera.

He then carded two birdies early in his second round to move to nine under and, despite a bogey at 16, was 10 under with two to play after birdies at four and seven.

American Tom Gainey followed up a 68 with a 67 for a nine-under-par total, but Davis was the man to catch this evening, having shot a flawless round.

After completing a first round 70 before the rain hit on Thursday, Graeme McDowell was a late starter tonight.