Harrington and Poulter lead in Japan

Padraig Harrington, the defending champion, shared the lead with Ian Poulter after the second round at the Dunlop Phoenix in Miyazaki, Japan, yesterday.

Harrington had an eagle on the 18th for a five-under 65 and joined Poulter (68) on a seven-under 133, one shot ahead of the Finn Mikko Ilonen and Japan's Shingo Katayama and Daisuke Maruyama.

Poulter also finished in style, with a birdie at the last. However, the Englishman was not thrilled. "I didn't play as well as yesterday," he said. "My timing was a tiny bit out."

While Harrington and Poulter played in front of sparse galleries, the 16-year-old amateur Ryo Ishikawa attracted the majority of spectators. He shot 68 and go equal 30th, seven strokes off the lead.

In May, Ishikawa won a Japan Tour event at the age of 15. He is the youngest player to win on any recognised tour.