Gary Murphy got to level par on his front nine on Friday

The Kilkenny golfer started at two-over after his opening 73 but he picked up birdies at the fourth and fifth to move to level-par and joint-sixth at that stage.

Murphy, who was out in the opening three-ball of the day, bogeyed the ninth but the real damage came when he dropped four shots in three holes between the 14th and 16th.

His problems started with a double-bogey seven at the long 14th.

Murphy parred the final two holes which left him on five-over which ensured his participation for the weekend.

"I didn't do a whole lot wrong but dropped those four shots on three holes on the back nine," said Murphy.

"The course is very tough. I reckon par was really about three-over today," added the Irishman who earned a place at Sandwich by finishing in the top five at last week's Scottish Open.

Closing Clarke bogey

Paul McGinley safely made the cut after hitting a second round 73 which left him on eight-over.

Darren Clarke ended on the same mark after hitting his second successive 75 to also ensure his participation over the weekend.

The Dungannon golfer dropped a shot on the opening hole and his only birdie of the round came at the long fourth.

His three bogeys on the back nine included a six at the par-five 14th for the second day in a row.

A closing bogey left Clarke on the cut mark of eight-over.