Lowry maintains fine form
Published on: 16th May, 2009
Lowry maintains fine form | Related News
Amateur Shane Lowry produced one of the best rounds of the day to share the lead entering the final round of The 3 Irish Open at County Louth.
The Irishman signed for a one-under-par 71 in blustery conditions to move to 16-under for the tournament, and will tee it up in the final pairing with Robert Rock on Sunday afternoon.
Not even a five-hour hold-up for strong winds rattled the burly 22-year-old, who continued his dream European Tour debut following Friday’s remarkable round of 62.
He even led by two shots with one hole to play but he three-putted the 18th for a bogey-six while Englishman Rock rolled in his birdie putt.
Lowry, forced off the course at 10am having played only one hole in foul conditions, returned at 3.15pm to record one of only seven scores under par – a remarkable feat in a field of such quality.
“That was a bad bogey on the last – I should not really have been going anywhere near the flag with my third – but I’m still happy enough,” said Lowry.
“A 71 was respectable enough and I’m still in the lead, so I can’t ask for any more. But I knew he was going to hole that last putt.
“I was a bit nervy coming up the last, if you’re not nervous you can’t be human. If I play the same I have all week I’ll have a good chance.”
Edfors in contention
Rock returned a 69 as he continues his pursuit of a first tour win, while Sweden’s Johan Edfors carded a round-of-the-day 68 to jump into sole possession of third place, with four strokes back to the chasing pack.
Lee Westwood, Paul Lawrie and Paul McGinley all shot 77, Rory McIlroy a 76 and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, joint second at halfway, a 78.
Meanwhile, course record holder Graeme McDowell was forced to withdraw with shin splints but was surprised that the players were asked to play at all.
“I thought it was pretty ridiculous,” said McDowell. “I couldn’t understand why, when they called it off, I really didn’t feel like the wind was blowing much harder than when we teed it up.
“The course set-up was all right. I feel a bit hard done by being on the toughest nine in the toughest conditions.
“When they called play I was a bit like ‘What’s going on here – it doesn’t feel much tougher than it was two hours ago?’
“I played myself out of the tournament and I feel like I could jeopardise the next couple of weeks if I don’t rest up.
“I picked up the injury on Thursday, yesterday it got progressively worse and this morning, after I warmed up, I was really struggling to walk.”
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