Lowry hoping for lift-off

After missing the cut in each of his last three tournaments and dropping back to 103rd in the Race to Dubai on the European Tour order of merit, Shane Lowry was more than happy to shoot a birdie on his final hole to clinch his place in the final two rounds at Portrush.

“Relieved is a good word for it”, he admitted after atoning for a moderate even par 72 on Thursday with a fine round of 68.

“Every week I feel like I’m in a position where I need a good last few holes to make the cut and I haven’t been doing it. So it is great to do it here because it would have been very disappointing to miss the cut in the Irish Open.