Four-way tie at European Club

The European Club is a testing proposition in benign conditions but blustery weather made for a tough examination in round two of the Etihad Airways PGA Sprint series.

Pat Ruddy's creation certainly took its toll on the field with no-one managing to break par. Just four players, Michael McGeady (above), Noel Murray, Neil O'Briain and Keith Shannon finished the day on level par, good enough to secure a share of first place.

McGeady, the reigning Irish PGA champion, was out in one-over 37, an eagle at the par five third helping to offset three dropped shots. Birdies at 12 and 13 put him back under par but a dropped shot at the last proved costly as he signed for a level par 71.

Massereene assistant Murray mixed in five birdies with five bogeys in an adventurous 71. O'Briain, from the Old Conna Club was more circumspect, with dropped shots at seven and 16, offset by birdies at the 10th and 13th while Greenore's Shannon birdied the third, 13th and 14th but gave those shots back at the eighth, 10th and 17th.

The leading quartet edged out a trio on one-over, Dara Lernihan, Brendan McGovern and Donal Gleeson.