The sun over the Clare coast was bright and unremitting when a smiling Shane Lowry signed for a scalding-hot course-record 8-under 62 to take the lead at the Amgen Irish Open. In Round 2, Lowry capitalized on calmer wind and faster pace of play compared to Thursday’s tempestuous, torpid affair.
Jacob Skov Olesen, who shot a 6-under 64 and sits three back of Lowry, said the difference between Thursday and Friday’s conditions was “night and day.”
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Though the skies today were dry, Lowry unleashed a torrent of birdies on the front nine, with circles on Nos. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, turning in 30. He was on 59 watch after birdies at Nos. 11 and 12, until a three-putt bogey at the 13th hole stalled his momentum.
Lowry added one final birdie at No. 15 and finished with a string of pars to reach 11 under. Afterward, Lowry spoke of his happiness: “It’s been awhile since I’ve had that much fun on the golf course.”
Lowry was building on good memories from his last Irish Open win as an amateur in 2009, further buoyed by his home country’s ebullient crowd cheering on their native hero, their roars growing more ecstatic with every stacking birdie.
Lowry acknowledged his fans: “The crowds were amazing out there today. They support me along the way and it was nice to give them something to shout about.”
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Rory McIlroy said of the leader: “He believes he’s a good player in windy links conditions … this type of golf suits the way he likes to see the game and then I think it gives him that little bit of extra belief that he can handle it better than most.”
As for his own game, “frustration” was what McIlroy felt regarding his 1-under performance in Round 2. He explained: “I just didn’t have it on the greens. I really struggled to read them.” The defending champion is nine back of Lowry’s lead.
Following a tepid first round performance, Brooks Koepka rounded into form and made the cut at 1 over after a solid 4-under 66.
Patrick Reed continued his steady play with another 2-under 68 and is inside the top-10.
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Seventeen years after his last Irish Open win, Lowry hopes to be champion once again heading into the third round as inclement weather is forecasted to return.
“There’s a long way to go yet. A long way to go,” Lowry said. “There’s going to be some elements over the weekend and it’s going to be a bit of a battle, but one thing is for sure, I’m in a good position.”
Image for Amgen Irish Open – Rd 3
Amgen Irish Open – Rd 3
Tune in for the third round of the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland.
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