Austrian Brier in front as late birdie lifts Harrington

By Norman Dabell

ST ANDREWS (Reuters) - World number four Padraig Harrington responded to pressure from his order of merit rivals for the second day in succession at the Dunhill Links Championship on Friday.

A closing birdie at St Andrews took the British Open and U.S. PGA champion within two strokes of second-round leader Markus Brier of Austria.

In bitterly cold winds, Brier finished on eight-under-par 136 an hour before Harrington sank a seven-foot putt at the last for a one-under 71.

Order of merit leader Harrington was one behind playing partner Robert Karlsson of Sweden (70), who is third on the money list.

"Robert was well up there but I was hanging on to him and now there's only a shot between us," Harrington told Reuters.

"I don't think Robert's thinking about it (the order of merit) too much or worrying about me. We've both got a lot to do to win."

The Irishman had produced a spectacular finish on Thursday, reeling off five birdies in the last six holes at Kingsbarns, one of three courses being used this week.

DAY AT A TIME  Continued...