Day two digest: 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

Everything you need to know from round two in County Kilkenny.

Lucas showed his mettle (and his style), Dale took his chance and Sully was enjoying the local culture on day two of the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday in Ireland.

Herbert happy with battling effort

Lucas Herbert was a happy man after he fought his way back to open up a two shot lead heading into the weekend. The overnight leader was three back after a double bogey on the third but made five birdies in six holes from the eighth en route to a 67 and a 13 under total. "It was a little frustrating but I also felt like I did pretty well to scrap 67 out of that," he said. "I holed some really nice putts and then missed some where I probably thought that was a good chance to make. The double on three didn't help as well so for a round that hopefully is not one of the better ones of the week, I felt like I did really well to get a lot out of it and put myself into a very good position going into the weekend."

Sully making himself at home

World class golfers are not the only thing Ireland is famous for exporting, the Emerald Isle is also known for its stout. Andy Sullivan fired a 66 that moved him to 11 under after 36 holes and the Englishman admitted he was partly fuelled by the local tipple.

Third reserve to fourth on the leaderboard

Dale Whitnell was eager to grab his chance after a second consecutive 67 left him right in the mix heading into the weekend. The Englishman only made it into the field early in the week and teed it up on Thursday morning without a practice round behind him, not that that stopped him from reaching ten under after 36 holes. "At the start of the week on Sunday I was third reserve, so I didn't know if I was even going to be here," he said. "So I went to Open Qualifying and then flew out Wednesday morning. Didn't have a practice round and here we are. So I'm just really pleased to be here."

Threemendous effort

There are three balls and there are three balls.

Richard Bland - 66

Graeme McDowell - 67

Thomas Pieters - 69

A combined 14 under par. Well played gentlemen.

And back to our leader for a second....

Let's just admire these trousers. What a set of strides.