Lowry's record 62 puts him in command at Irish Open
Shane Lowry shot a course-record 62 to take a three-shot lead after the second round of the Irish Open. He made nine birdies, including six in a seven-hole stretch on the front nine. Defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled with his putting and fell further behind.
Lowry’s 62 came after two opening pars, then a burst of three straight birdies from the third hole. He added a long putt at seven and two more before the turn, reaching six-under 30. A bogey at 13 ended any realistic chance of a 59, but he recovered with a birdie at 15 and closed with three pars. His last individual win was four years ago, and he had not finished inside the top 20 since February.
McIlroy, chasing a third Irish Open title, stayed level for most of his round until a spectacular eagle from 267 yards at the eighth. However, he missed several short putts, bogeyed 11, and three-putted the final hole to settle for a second straight 69. He trails Lowry by nine shots, with Li Haotong and Jacob Skov Olesen sharing second place three behind the leader.
This round could reshape perceptions of Lowry’s recent form, as he has struggled since February and missed the PGA Tour’s playoff events. A strong weekend finish may boost his confidence and ranking, while McIlroy’s putting issues could raise questions about his preparation ahead of upcoming majors. For Irish golf fans, a home victory would be a significant moment, potentially increasing interest in the sport locally and drawing broader attention to the tour’s European swing.