Lowry left home alone for weekend

Approach the first tee at Carton House and you are faced with a giant poster on the back of the stand adorned with images of six famous Irish golfers.

Only one of those faces will be seen on the course this weekend.

After all the talk of a multi-layered home challenge, Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley will have the weekend off. Only Shane Lowry remains.