Aaron Rai carded a level par 70 to take the clubhouse lead at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, where play was suspended overnight due to darkness following a morning frost delay on day two at Galgorm Castle Golf Club.
There were still nine groups left to finish their second rounds before play was halted, but it was Englishman Rai who led the field going into the weekend as he chases the second European Tour title of his career.
The 25-year-old, whose maiden victory came at the 2018 Honma Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi, birdied the last for a level par 70 and a five under total.
That moved him one stroke clear of Robert Rock, Dean Burmester and Joakim Lagergren on four under. Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington signed for a disappointing five over par 75 and a six over total which sits one stroke outside of the cut mark, while Shane Lowry’s second round 72 and seven over total meant he would not be at Galgorm for the weekend.
European Tour Release, Sep 26, 2020
