As an exorcism it was pretty effective. Twelve months ago Thomas Bjorn walked in after six holes of the Smurfit European Open. The mental demons that dogged him at that time reduced him to tears of frustration.

It wasn't about being four over par; Bjorn had lost his game and unlike Bo-Peep's charges it wasn't going to come back of its own volition. It must be a petrifying thought for a professional sportsman.

At the time he railed: "I am out of sorts at the moment and feel uncomfortable on the golf course. I'm going home to sort out my game as there are some enormously important events on the horizon."

True to his word he did exactly that, regrouping to become a pivotal off-course figure in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph at Oakland Hills. He also restored his game.

Yesterday at the K Club the popular Dane shot a three-under-the-card 69 for a five-under total and joint leadership of the European Open alongside Jamie Donaldson.

The trauma of last year occurred on the Smurfit course; this time he's excelling over the Palmer layout.

He reflected: "I tried to forget that golf course (Smurfit course). You can deal with it in different ways. You can stand on the driving range and battle your way through it or you can go home and get a bit of a perspective on things. I chose the second one and that was the best thing I ever did. I was going through a rough spot and couldn't really see my way through it.

"I went home and said, 'oh, let's get back to what I'm good at,' and it didn't take long (before) I started playing well. I don't really think about it. I think the one good thing to take from it is that most good players will bounce back from situations like that. I'm a stronger person."

Seven birdies and four bogeys illustrated the topsy-turvy nature of a round that gave him the lead with Donaldson going into the weekend.

The latter recorded a two-under 70, a superb effort as, unlike Bjorn, the Welshman played in the worst of the conditions in the afternoon.

Last season Donaldson suffered a back injury after shooting a 65 in the first round of the Spanish Open and went on to miss the next five months, requiring a medical exemption. Gym work has underpinned his rehabilitation.

"I was really solid, nothing spectacular and took my chances when I could. My putter has been pretty good this week," he said.

The pair head five players on five under, including Darren Clarke.

Retief Goosen is a shot further back after a disappointing 74.

Three other Irishmen made the cut: Damien McGrane, also on three under, Gary Murphy, at level par, and Graeme McDowell, three over.

McGrane has made just two bogeys in 36 holes, a superb effort.

"I have been playing steadily, hitting the ball well off the tee, and haven't been making it too difficult on myself. I got a nice putt (five feet) on the last. I decided to inflict one bit of torture on myself before I went home. There's nothing radical - just keeping the ball out of trouble and that's the key round here."

Padraig Harrington was among a group of eight Irish players - it also included Paul McGinley - who missed out on the weekend action.

He admitted: "It's disappointing but the damage (was) done on Thursday. Making the cut was improbable but not impossible. I tried hard. It was really a question of getting my mind around things so that when I tee it up in the (British) Open I am sharp enough and fresh enough."