Justin Rose challenging at The Barclays

Rose hit seven birdies and a bogey in his round of 65 on Friday

England's Justin Rose and Ireland's Padraig Harrington are both in contention at the end of the second round of The Barclays in New Jersey.

The pair are 10 under par, four shots behind American leader Matt Kuchar, after rounds of 65 and 67 respectively.

Defending champion Kuchar fired a six-under-par 65 to stay one-shot ahead of Dustin Johnson and Vijay Singh.

The tournament has been shortened to 54 holes due to the continuing threat posed by Hurrican Irene.

The hurricane, which has already battered the Bahamas, is working its way up the east coast of America, and is expected in the New Jersey area on Saturday.

With the opening round on Thursday disrupted by the weather, many golfers had to finish their first 18 on Friday.

This included Englishman Luke Donald, who tops the overall money list in the US and the European Tour equivalent, the Race To Dubai, and is bidding to become the first winner of both in the same season.

The Barclays is the first of four FedEx series events, the end-of-season competition in which Donald lies fourth on the points list.

However, the 33-year-old has fallen off the pace after carding a second-round 66 to leave him six under.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (65) is five under, along with American Phil Mickelson and defending FedEx champion Jim Furyk.

England's Ian Poulter shot a 67 to leave him trailing on four under, but Spaniard Sergio Garcia remains in the mix on eight under following a round of 66.