Zandvoort, Netherlands (My Sportsbook) - Defending champion Darren Clarke posted a three-under 67 Friday to move into a share of the lead after two rounds of the KLM Open.

Clarke completed 36 holes at eight-under-par 132, where he was joined by Peter Hedblom, who carded a four-under 66 Friday.

Peter Lawrie posted a two-under 68 to remain tied for third place after two rounds at minus-seven. He stands alongside Bradley Dredge (67), Kenneth Ferrie (67), Wade Ormsby (67) and Oskar Henningsson (66).

Paul McGinley, who shared the first-round lead with Gary Orr, managed an even- par 70 and is tied for eighth at six-under-par 134.

Orr struggled to a three-over 73 to tumble into a tie for 30th at minus-three.

Clarke stumbled out of the gate with a bogey on the first. He bounced back with birdies on three and four, before coughing up another stroke on the par-four fifth.

The Ulsterman birdied No. 8 for the second day in a row, but turned in even- par for his round after a bogey on the ninth at Kennemer Golf & Country Club.

Clarke made his move on the back nine. He birdied the 10th and 12th, both for the second straight day, to move to seven-under. His final birdie came on the par-three 15th.

"It's one of my favorite venues," Clarke admitted. "It sets up well for me and it is always nice to come back to a place where you've done well."

Hedblom got off to a flying start from the 10th. He birdied three of the first four holes to jump to seven-under. However, Hedblom recorded consecutive bogeys from the 17th to make the turn at minus-five.

The 39-year-old Swede birdied No. 2 and birdied the fifth and seventh to join Clarke atop the leaderboard. Hedblom parred his final two holes to share the 36-hole lead for the fourth time in his European Tour career.

"When you're struggling it's nice to get away from everything," said Hedblom. "I've just had a three-week break. I've been playing for so long that you learn that you have to keep frustration away. Last year was my best season, so I know I have the game."

McGinley was joined in eighth place at six-under-par 134 by Simon Dyson (67), Jamie Donaldson (68), Paul Lawrie (68), Damien McGrane (67), Marcus Higley (63), Terry Pilkadaris (65), Carlos Del Moral (67), Eirik Tage Johansen (64) and Shane Lowry (68).

The cut line fell at one-under-par 139 with 68 players moving on to the weekend. Among those who missed the cut were Thomas Levet, Tadd Fujikawa and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.