Nicolas Colsaerts takes narrow advantage

Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium shot a 5-under-par 67 Friday and held a one-stroke lead over Ian Poulter, Anthony Wall and Christian Cevaer halfway through the Irish Open.

Thomas Bjorn of Denmark equaled the course record with a 6-under 66 in the second round but was four strokes off the lead.

Colsaerts, took advantage of decent weather to put him at 4-under 140.

"It could have been a truly excellent round," he said. "But 67 is pretty good because the course is not easy even if the weather was a little easier today."

Six hours of play were lost on Thursday because of strong wind. More than 50 players still need to finish the second round before the third round Saturday.

Poulter of England birdied four of the last six holes, including the 18th for a 70. Wall of England shot 68 while Cevaer of France added a 71 to his opening 70. They were all at 141.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson and Peter Hedblom, Australia's Jarrod Lyle and England's Tom Whitehouse were another shot back. England's Paul Casey was in a big group at 143 after a 70.

U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell Zealand was at 145, making the cut a year after missing it.

"My putting was pretty average the last couple days but my driving was sensational for me," Campbell said. "I think I missed two fairways yesterday and three today."

Darren Clarke birdied three of his first four holes and shot 70 to match Campbell's total, but he was far from pleased.

"I am deriving no pleasure whatsoever from playing golf at the moment," he said. "It is horrific."

Padraig Harrington also was at 145 following a 74. As darkness fell, Colin Montgomerie birdied the final hole for a 72 but at 5 over he was likely to miss the cut.