Harrington stays in contention

Padraig Harrington's second successive 69 left him only two shots behind leaders Justin Rose and Angel Cabrera at the halfway stage of the BMW PGA Championship.

By winning the Irish Open last Sunday - itself worth nearly £285,000 - Harrington made himself the only contender for a £680,000 bonus if he also captures the £495,848 first prize at the European Tour's flagship event.

Thanks to a stunning eagle on the 610-yard 17th, where he hit his second shot to six feet and expected more applause than he received, last season's Order of Merit winner is six under par with two rounds to go.

Argentina's big-hitting Cabrera, winner two years ago and twice second, had a best-of-the-day 66 to join Rose, who even with a three-birdie finish was able to add only a 70 to his opening 66.

"A million Euros is a million Euros in any man's language," said the multi-millionaire Harrington when asked about the bonus.

"I didn't know how much the prize money was this week, but I knew how much the bonus was. I'm very aware of it because it's something different. It's only an incentive. If I don't win it I haven't lost a million - it's always a positive."