Late double bogey costs Paul Casey - dunhill links championship 2006

A closing double-bogey by Paul Casey in Friday's Dunhill Links Championship second round damaged the Briton's chances of clinching the European order of merit title.

Casey, 120,000 euros ahead of countryman David Howell at the top of the money list, shared fourth place in the pro-am event when he stood on the 18th tee at St Andrews.

But the World Match Play champion went out of bounds at the last as he signed for a two-over 74 and a seven-under total, five off the pace set by Briton Bradley Dredge.

"I was just trying to sneak up the right side but it all went wrong," Casey told reporters. "I hit a poor drive and away it went.

"But everything that went well yesterday, didn't today. I didn't make many putts, nor did I control the ball particularly well."

Depending on how his rivals fare, Casey could seal the order of merit title by winning the first prize of 650,000 euros.

"I wasn't thinking about the order of merit," said the 29-year-old Englishman. "When you shoot two-over, you have other things to think about."

Howell, who languishes 10 shots behind Casey, has only a scant chance of making the cut for Sunday's final round.

Casey could now come under pressure at the top of the money list from Irishman Padraig Harrington.

South African Charl Schwartzel and Swede Johan Edfors shared second place at the pro-am event while Harrington's 69 pulled him up to equal fourth with former world number one Vijay Singh of Fiji and Briton Simon Dyson, three off the lead.

Dredge carded his four-under 67 at Carnoustie, which will host next year's British Open.

In 1992, the Welshman was runner-up to Stephen Dundas in the British Amateur Championship on the same course.

"I've always had fond memories of Carnoustie," Dredge said. "Everything's in front of you there, you can see what you need to do and it suits my game."

Three courses are being used this week, the other being Kingsbarns.