The 31-year-old shot a second-round 76 at Valderrama to lie at eight over par, three shots behind the South African, who had a 74.

But, with no cut in Spain, at least Harrington has two more rounds to repair the damage.

Harrington needs to finish ahead of Goosen to claim the Merit crown, although his rival will retain his title if he finishes within one place of the Irishman.

Angel Cabrera continues to lead after following his first-round 63 with a 72 to lie on seven under par.

However he dropped two shots on the 17th which cut his lead to four strokes.

Colin Montgomerie fired a 69 to move on to three under par and give himself a shot at maintaining his record of at least one win in Europe every season since 1992.

He is level on 139 with pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia, Welshman Bradley Dredge and Swede Robert Karlsson.

Irishman Harrington, who began the first day one shot adrift of Goosen after a first round of 74, hooked his opening tee shot and bogeyed the first hole.

A succession of pars and dropped shots followed, with the Irishman having to wait until the 17th hole to make his first and only birdie.

Goosen fared little better. He began steadily with seven pars before dropping a shot at the par-four eighth.

The 33-year-old then took a five at the par-three 12th, where he found a bunker and then chipped out beyond the green.