Golf/Indian Masters: Damien McGrane carded a second round 69 to take a two-shot lead at the halfway point of the inaugural Indian Masters in New Delhi yesterday.

McGrane, who played over the weekend in Dubai last week with world number one Tiger Woods, moved onto eight under-par to head into the weekend clear of Graeme McDowell, South Africa's Hendrik Buhrmann and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who also recorded back-to-back 69s.

Sweden's Mickael Lundberg (68) sits alone in fifth at five-under, with Dane Thomas Bjorn (72) and Benn Barham (71) leading a group a further shot adrift.

Darren Clarke (69) availed of a chip-in eagle at the 18th to propel himself into a group at three-under, while world number four Ernie Els carded a second round two-under-par 70 to beat the cut by three strokes.

"I would like to try and do the same thing day-in day-out," said a pleased McGrane. "I found a formula around the course that seems to be giving me good numbers, so I will try and hit the same clubs off the tee box and give myself as many birdie opportunities as possible."

McDowell meanwhile, seeking a first European Tour victory in three and a half years following his 2004 triumph at the Italia Open, carded a second consecutive three-under-par 69 yesterday to sit two shots adrift of his fellow Irishman.

McDowell dubbed leader McGrane a "dogged competitor" and admitted he was not surprised to see him at the top of the leaderboard courtesy of his "great" short game.

McDowell, a winner of the Royal Trophy, Seve Trophy, Walker Cup and Palmer Cup earlier in his career, is confident his recent run of consistent form can thrust him into Nick Faldo's mind for the ultimate team showdown at Valhalla in September.

After ending 2007 with two top six finishes at the Volvo Masters and Hong Kong Open, McDowell made a steady start to 2008 and worked his way up to fifth place last week in Dubai. He is confident his start to the year will see him return to the world's top 50 and put him in contention for a Ryder Cup berth.

"I want to end the year in the top 50. I'm off to a decent start. I made a good impact in Dubai last week," said McDowell, who is reaping the rewards of a fitness regime he started last September.

"Top 50 is where things start to happen. If I could break that barrier again and start getting myself into majors and WGCs, that's where you can start to make consistency pay.

McDowell's form has received a stern test in Delhi this week on the tight tree-lined course which demands good short iron play.

"It's a course which tests completely different aspects of your game, it's as far from a physical test as possible," he added.