Irish Open: Rather appropriately, it seemed, a fully equipped water rescue unit spent the entire day positioned in a dingy on the River Rye that separates the 18th hole on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House from the corporate hospitality area.

No golfer was quite so distraught as to actually go so far as to test the proficiency of the rescue personnel, but the course - again - punished mind and body alike in attempting to produce a worthy champion of this latest edition of the Nissan Irish Open.

On a day when dark clouds hovered menacingly overhead, but only produced the occasional deluge to remind players and spectators alike of the fickleness of the Irish summer, the challenging conditions, nevertheless, contrived to produce a midway leaderboard that was as jam-packed as Grafton Street in the midst of Christmas shopping. Although Stephen Dodd assumed the midway lead, all he had to do was cast a glance over his shoulder to realise they were queuing up behind him.

If he is to win, it will be the hard way.

Dodd, a Welshman who won his maiden tour title in the China Open last November in what was the opening event of the PGA European Tour's 2005 schedule, was one of only two players to break par for a second successive day. Dodd's round of 70 for five-under-par 139 enabled him to hold a one-stroke lead over the quartet of David Howell, who lost a play-off in last week's British Masters, Neil Dougherty, Bradley Dredge and Pelle Edberg.

Yet, it wasn't just a cosmopolitan mix of Welsh, English and Swedes at the business end of the field.

Paul McGinley, one of eight Irish players to survive the cut, lurked with intent after a round of 69 - which included losing a ball on the way to a double bogey that was offset by no fewer than seven birdies - that left him sharing sixth place with Philip Golding.

In truth, though, this course is so tough and the field so bunched that a potential winner could conceivably emerge from further back. For now, however, a rejuvenated Dodd - who made no fewer than 10 appearances at tour school before graduating into the seasoned campaigner that he is - has the task of bringing the mantle of midway leader into the weekend.

"I think if you win a tournament, it does give you the belief that you can do it again. That's what has happened to me over the past few months. I just think I am a lot more confident now about the way that I approach things. I'm not saying I hit the ball any better now, because I probably don't. I think I do things in a more confident manner . . . here, it is nice to play on a tough course where 72 means something. In some places, you shoot a couple of 72s and you miss the cut."

Such a sense of reality has served Dodd extremely well over the opening two rounds, but the congested nature of the field will have him on his guard. Among those in closest proximity is Howell, a player who grew in stature in last year's Ryder Cup in Detroit.

Yesterday, the Englishman admitted he was "gutted" at the manner in which he lost a play-off to Thomas Bjorn in the British Masters, yet also demonstrated how far he has matured in how he managed to pick himself up.

"I haven't felt like that ever," Howell remarked of his play-off defeat. "I was really distraught. I'd felt the swing changes I'd been working on had worked, but when it came to the real crunch I dropped back into some old traits and the swing didn't hold up. But I told myself nobody had beaten me over four rounds and you've got to try to take positives out of it. I knew this week I had to get out here and put some scores on the board; it was a case of getting straight back on the horse." Howell has thus far succeeded in doing that, and more.

As the quest for the Irish Open title heads into the final 36 holes, his sights are focused on once again savouring success. But he is not alone in that aim, and one of those who also succeeded in playing himself into position was the man who designed this course.

Colin Montgomerie was himself tested by his own design in fashioning a second round 73 for 144. Still, he was content.

"I want people to hit fairways and get rewarded for it. It's a severe test of golf and I'm not apologising for that fact," said Monty.

"Every shot is a test. I'm exhausted personally, and I'm sure all the players must be as well."

One suspects Monty wouldn't have had to search too long or hard in the locker room for affirmation of just how searching an examination his course had set.

Darren Clarke observed of his game that "it is trying my patience, that's the politest way of putting it," while Padraig Harrington - who will be his playing partner for today's third round - admitted, "this course really takes the energy out of you. It's just so demanding, there is no let-up". Yet, even six shots adrift, Harrington held out hope of a weekend assault.

"There's nobody going away," he remarked, casting his eyes across the river to the giant leaderboard located on the far side.

"If you play well, you're going to be there or thereabouts on Sunday evening.

"My focus was better today, but I probably need it to be as better again tomorrow (Saturday) and the next day, but I am going in the right direction . . . if I'm in contention on Sunday, I should be in a good, positive mood coming down the stretch."

No doubt, others will feel the same way.