After opening with a error-strewn 69, the 17-year-old Holywood tyro's 36-hole total of two over par 144 left him six shots adrift of fellow international Shane Lowry of Esker Hills. The 20-year-old son of former Offaly footballer Brendan dropped four shots in a row from the 14th to turn a possible 66 into a 70, after opening with a 68, to find himself two shots clear with 138.