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Rock solid in Ireland

Maynooth - Peter Uihlein felt right at home in the windy conditions as he gained a share of the clubhouse lead in the second round of the Irish Open on Friday.

Uihlein shot a 4-under-par 68 to move to 9 under overall with England's Robert Rock, the 2009 runner-up who posted a 6-under 66 at the Carton House course on the outskirts of Dublin.

Uihlein honed his game in often windy conditions on the Karsten Creek course designed and built for Oklahoma State University.

"It's something I got used to at Oklahoma State as it can be pretty windy there," he said.

"I spent three-and-a-half years in Oklahoma where sometimes we would play in a tornado. In the wind, your game doesn't have to be that perfect.

"I seem to struggle when it's calm and sunny but when it's windy you just play golf, I enjoy it."

Uihlein celebrated his 21st birthday when he captured the 2010 U.S. Amateur, and he turned pro in 2012. Last month he earned his first European Tour win at the Madeira Islands Open.

Rock broke through for his first European Tour win at the 2011 Italian Open, and secured his biggest victory last year in defeating Tiger Woods by two shots at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

Rock, looking for a first win since Abu Dhabi, highlighted his Irish Open second round with an eagle on the par-5 4th hole.

Jose Maria Olazabal, the 1990 Irish Open winner, carded 69 to lie at 7 under.

Rory McIlroy was among the afternoon starters, setting off at 2 over.

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