SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD: (GB & Ire unless stated)
-8 M Brier (Aut) -7 M Kaymer (Ger), S Hansen (Den), R Karlsson (Swe), R McIlroy Selected others:-6 M Campbell (NZ), P Harrington, L Westwood -5 D Howell -4 R Fisher -2 P Casey, +1 C Montgomerie

McIlroy, 19, came third at last year's Dunhill Championship

Rory McIlroy is in with a chance of earning his first European Tour win after an impressive performance on day two of the Dunhill Links Championship.

The 19-year-old followed Thursday's 68 at St Andrews with a round of 69 at Carnoustie to end the day on seven under, one behind leader Markus Brier.

The Northern Ireland youngster shares second place with Martin Kaymer, Soren Hansen and Robert Karlsson.

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington ended the day on six under.

A birdie at the 18th at St Andrews gave Harrington a one-under-par round of 71, and level billing on the scoreboard with Lee Westwood and Michael Campbell.

McIlroy, who came third at this event last year, carded five birdies and two bogies as he played alongside Sir Bobby Charlton, and will play his third round on Saturday at the Kingsbarns course.

All professional players in the tournament play one round at each of St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns alongside celebrities, before those who survive the final cut compete for the title on Sunday at St Andrews.

Former European amateur champion McIlroy nearly gained his first Tour victory last month at the European Masters in Switzerland, when he threw away a four-shot lead and lost a play-off against Jean-Francois Lucquin.

And he said double Open champion Harrington had given him some words of comfort.

"Padraig called me over on Wednesday and said 'hard luck' and that he knew how it felt, we've all blown tournaments that we should have won," said McIlroy.

"He's been second on tour 29 times and learnt how to win. He hasn't had a second place for three years. He told me to keep getting experience, get yourself up there again and you'll win.

"I need to get into position first to have a chance to do that. If I do I'm sure my recent experience in Switzerland will help.

"It didn't quite happen for me then but I'm playing well again this week and I've probably got the easiest course of the three on Saturday.

"I know the top guys are having to come here to Carnoustie so if I can go out at Kingsbarns and do well I could be right up there."

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