Walton returns to form with another 67

Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton came in from the golfing wilderness on Friday to set the early pace in the Irish Open second round.

The Dubliner hit a second four-under-par 67 to move to an eight-under total of 134 for a three-stroke lead.

With overnight leaders Sergio Garcia, the Spanish defending champion, and Sweden's Patrik Sjoland just starting out at seven-under, Walton sat on his lead and prayed for wind.

His nearest challenger in the clubhouse was Dane Thomas Bjorn, who carded a 69 for 137.

Walton claimed the winning point for Europe against the U.S. in the 1995 Ryder Cup at Oak Hill but suffered lean times in the past two years and lost his European Tour card last year.

"The last two years have been tough, but I won't go down without a fight," Walton said.

"When you think back to the Ryder Cup matches, it's been tough begging for invites as I have this year.

"I've said that I'd do that for this year but not another."

"I'm not taking anything for granted here. Saturday's been an unlucky day for me."

If Walton can hang, he will be the first home player to win the Irish Open for 18 years.

He fired an eagle two holes into his round, but gave the two strokes away with two bogeys before picking up four shots in his last six holes.

Fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington fell back after a 71 in which he dropped four shots in five holes on the inward nine.

Jose Maria Olazabal's 67 lifted him to six strokes off the lead but another tournament favourite, Darren Clarke, needed to birdie the last to give himself a chance of surviving the cut. His 70 took him to 142.

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