Padraig Harrington pulled clear of the field at the Irish PGA Championship this afternoon, a second round of 68 moving him to six-under-par.

Harrington, bidding to claim the title for a fourth time at the European Club in Wicklow, is two clear of Brendan McGovern while the Dubliner's playing partner David Higgins - who qualified for next week's British Open on Tuesday - is a shot further back.

Birdies at the fourth, fifth - where he narrowly missed a hole-in-one - and ninth helped Harrington ease into the lead and while he couldn't extend his advantage on the back nine remains in great shape going into the final two rounds.

Harrington, McGovern, who fought back after a lost ball at the eighth cost him a double bogey, and Higgins are the only three players under par after the second round.