Graeme McDowell fell off the top of the leaderboard in the European Amateur golf championship at Murhof in Austria yesterday, but is still very much in contention having made a brilliant recovery after a stuttering start to his second round.

The 21-year-old Irish Champion from Rathmore had led by a stroke after a stunning course record-equalling nine-under-par 63 on the first day and it was always going to be difficult to maintain that form.

When McDowell dropped two shots in the first three holes through three putting and then missing from four feet, it looked as though he might be in for a heavy fall.

But he reached the turn in level-par 36 and then produced another inspirational performance over the homeward stretch.

Birdie chances went begging at the l0th and 11th, but he got one at the 12th with an eight-foot putt, one at the 14th where he made the green in two with a superb five-iron shot, and further birdies followed at the 15th and 17th.

"He's a fighter," said Irish team manager Eddie Dunne who provided support as McDowell suffered at the beginning of the round. McDowell finished with a four under-par 68 for a 131 total for the two days and he is just one stroke adrift of halfway leader Jamie Donaldson, who recorded a stunning 65 for the second successive day.

Scrabo's Andrew McCormick followed up a splendid 67 on Wednesday with a 75 yesterday.