Lowry hits a purplepatch
The 2009 winner of the Irish Open while still an amateur stands one over par after rounds of 72 and 71, the same as Peter Lawrie who recovered well from bogeys at each of the first three holes to get round in 72. They are five behind Scotland’s Richie Ramsay who retains his lead at the top of the leader board having added a 72 to Thursday’s admirable 65.
Many of the players struggled with the lightning fast putting surfaces which ran at 12. 5 on the stimpmetre. The 36 hole cut mark soared to seven over par, by three the highest on the European Tour this year even though only the top 50 instead of the usual 65.
Lowry has played himself into position to challenge for the kind of sizeable cheque that will move him into the top 60 on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai order of merit and a place in the season-ending Dubai World Championship. He began the week in 63rd spot and rounds of 72 and 71 put him in a share of 7th going into the final two days. And with €euro500, 000 going to the winner and 10th spot worth €60, 000 the big man from Esker Hills has a lot to play for over the next couple of days.
He is blessed with a delightful attitude and even a shank with an eight iron approach to the 9th didn’t faze him as he mused: “It’s only the second I’ve ever done that in tournament golf. I chipped in twice, at the 2nd from more than fifty yards, and from just off the edge of the 18th green. The 17th was playing very long and hard but I made par there with a thirty foot putt that was so fast and tricky that it could have rolled off the green. My short game was on fire and I holed some footage today.”
Lawrie agreed that taking bogey at the 18th after a perfect tee shot was “very disappointing but I can’t complain after that start.”
Reflecting on being nine shots behind Ramsay, holder McDowell claimed he was “still not out of contention. I know my way around here and level par could yet be a very good score.”
For the second day, however, he lived up to his acceptance that for much of the year he has “taken one step forward only to follow with step backward.”
He had three smashing birdies at the 13th, 14th and 17th on the way home but all too easily gave those shots back. He badly needs to be a lot more consistent, especially on the greens.
Paul McGinley withdrew from the tournament yesterday having injured his wrist in attempting to force his ball from thick rough at the 4th during Thursday’s first round.
He has damaged ligaments to such an extent that he will be out of action for up to four weeks.
And as he was due to undergo his eighth knee operation in the new year, he may well bring that procedure forward so as to be fully fit to start the new season in Abu Dhabi next February.
