Stenson DQ a boost for Harrington

By Brian Keogh

Padraig Harrington will remain top of the European Order of Merit after top rival Henrik Stenson was disqualified in Hamburg.

The Swede was certain to miss the cut in the Deutsche Bank Players' Championship of Europe but ended up being disqualified after losing count of how many shots he had taken.

Needing to finish second to regain top spot in Europe following Harrington's Open victory, Stenson was not certain of his exact score and unable to sign his scorecard.
Already heading home for the weekend after going to the turn in 40, Stenson racked up a big number on the par five 17th.

Initially credited with a 12, he eventually lost count and explained: "I ran out of putts. I missed a short one and then managed to double-hit it a couple of times in frustration.

"The day was pretty much over even before that. I was three or four over."

Asked if he knew how many shots he had taken, Stenson added: "No, that was the problem. I didn't sign my card because I couldn't figure it out."

England's Lee Slattery hit a 69 and compatriot Zane Scotland a four-under par 68 to grab a one stroke halfway lead on nine under par from Oliver Wilson and Open hero Andres Romero.

But there were plenty of disasters on a blustery day with overnight leader Simon Khan missing the cut by two shots as he followed his opening 65 with an 80.

Meath's Damine McGrane leads the Irish challenge, five strokes off the lead on four-under par after a 71.

Peter Lawrie (69) is a shot further back with Paul McGInley (70) on two under and Gary Murphy (73) scraping in for the weekend on the one-under par cut mark.

But there was disappointment for Portrush's Graeme McDowell as he missed out by a stroke despite a battling 71.

The Ulsterman, who turns 28 tomorrow, needed a top finish to make the world's top 100 and qualify for the US PGA in two weeks.