Harrington five clear in Morocco

World beater Padraig Harrington stormed into a massive five-shot lead at the Hassan II Trophy in Morocco.

Now the Dubliner wants to finish the job and add Africa to his list to continental conquests.

With his neck injury easing, the Open champion looks good ahead of next week's Volvo Masters showdown after hitting seven birdies and one bogey in a second successive 67.

Leading by five shots on 12 under par from India's Jeev Milkha Singh and England's Simon Dyson, he's bubbling with confidence.

Favourite now for the $150,000 top prize, Harrington said: "I'm in a real good position and to be leading is where I would want to be.

"It would be nice now if I could win here in Morocco because I've won in Europe, Asia and in both North and South America. I am always keen to attain new goals."

Darren Clarke showed signs of a return to form when he hit a four under par 69 to join Mark O'Meara in a share of fourth place on six under.

And Harrington was delighted to see his friend and Ryder Cup team mate back on the leaderboard again after a nightmare year.

Harrington added: "I am really pleased for Darren as this is the sort of week and event he needs. It's good to see him lying at six under par."

While Clarke has six birdies and two bogeys, Harrington has dropped just two shots in the first two rounds.

Starting from the par-five eighth, he opened with a birdie and then reeled off three on the trot from 10th.

A birdie two at the 17th and two more birdies at the first and third put him seven under for the day before he bogeyed his final hole.

He said: "I'm happy but I didn't finish as well as I would have liked taking bogey and I also three-putted the 18th for par.

"I probably just ran out of a little bit of steam but hopefully I will be focussed a lot better tomorrow.

"There were a couple of slack shots the last couple of holes and that's nothing to do with the laid-back nature of the event as I often do that in a round.

"The neck was a lot better and there was no shots today like yesterday when I was conscious of not exerting myself too much. It was fine and should be even that much better again tomorrow."

Harrington used the Irish PGA as a warm up for the Open at Carnoustie and he hopes that the Hassan II Trophy can have a similar effect in the Volvo Masters where he must finish third or better and beat Justin Rose to retain the Order of Merit.

He said: "This week's event is somewhat similar to the Irish PGA at The European Club. Even though I was under a lot of pressure to perform well it was very much a low-key week.

"I've got a new set of Wilson Staff irons in the bag this week and it's great to come to an event like this here in Morocco where it is nice and relaxed and you can come out and see what shape your game is in without being scrutinised as it would be in some other weeks.

"I will always be trying my hardest but this is a week that is just that little bit more relaxed and while the golf course is in very good condition, it is not too punishing out there."