DAMIEN McGRANE used a new putter to great effect when firing an outstanding blemish-free five under par 67 to take a two strokes half-way lead in the €55,000 Quinn Direct Charity Trophy at Slieve Russell.

The 35-year-old European Tour player came straight from finishing three over par for 72 holes in the rain-affected Nissan Irish Open yesterday to made light of heavy conditions at the parkland course at Ballyconnell.

It is the perfect tonic for McGrane, who moves to London tomorrow to prepare for Thursday's opening round of the week's lucrative BMW Championship at Wentworth.

"I was unhappy with my putting in the Irish Open, and as soon as I came off the course at Carton House I was determined to try out a new putter at Slieve Russell. It worked very well," he said.

Johnny Foster, a former international and South of Ireland amateur champion, set a blistering early target, with a four-birdie 69.

Irish Open, P22