Irish Open 2012: Padraig Harrington hits form to start weekend two off the leaders "I am playing a game with which I'm not familiar at the moment," said Harrington, after a second successive 67 took him to 10-under and within two of the French pacesetter, Gregory Bourdy. I am hitting far more fairways and more greens than normal. It's great, but it would be nice if I could believe I was going to do it and trust it a bit more. But the world No 2 has struggled on these slow, rain-soaked greens and will need to find the pace quickly this morning to launch a meaningful challenge. His great compadre, Graeme McDowell, also could do with applying the afterburners, after a 68 left him on the same mark. And then there is Darren Clarke. It was good to see the smile return to the big man's countenance following his second 70. This is the first cut Clarke has made this year and he said he was "relieved" to finally tee it up again on a Saturday. However, the 43 year-old has rather more ambition that simply delighting the crowds here. There is the little matter of an Open defence at Lytham in three weeks time. "I want to play better than that just making the cut," Clarke said. I've made too many silly mistakes. I'm not quite tournament sharp. And that's why the mistakes creep in. Still, Clarke is happy to have had the enforced four-week break caused by a groin complaint. He has clearly put on a few pounds but shed so much of the fatigue. "It has been massively important," he said. I needed to get away. I've had a tough time scoring and concentrating and I've tried to fulfil my role as Open champion as best I can, I've gone around the world non-stop and wore myself down. But I've had a wonderful time back here at home in Portrush. I'm refreshed and ready to go. Clarke is playing next week in France and then will head to the Fylde coast. Is he confident? "Yeah -nobody gave me much chance of winning it last year did they?" he said. For the record, Clarke was 150-1 to win the 140th Open Championship. Exactly what he is to win the 141st.