Italian Open: Graeme McDowell and Danny Willett share second

Graeme McDowell shot his best opening two rounds at a tournament for three years

Major champions Graeme McDowell and Danny Willett share second place at the halfway stage of the Italian Open.

Northern Ireland's McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, had a bogey-free round for his second successive five-under-par 66.

Willett, who has not won since his 2016 Masters triumph, is yet to drop a shot in the tournament and added a 67 to his opening 65.

German Martin Kaymer leads by one on 11 under par after he carded a 63.

McDowell's back-to-back rounds of five-under-par were his best opening two rounds at a tournament in three years.

The performance comes after he was announced as Ryder Cup vice-captain in May.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, meanwhile, shot five birdies on his way to a round of 66 and sits six shots behind the leaders.

Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood bogeyed the final hole and is four shots back in a tie for 17th.

Ross Fisher (-3) and Tyrrell Hatton (-1) were among those to miss the cut, which came at four under.