Home comforts suit Lowry

Shane Lowry today carried home hopes into the third round of the Irish Open after Ireland’s four major champions all missed the halfway cut at Carton House.

Lowry, winner of the event in 2009 while still an amateur, carded a second round of 70 to lie seven under par, two shots behind leaders Robert Rock – the man he beat in a play-off at Baltray four years ago – and American Peter Uihlein.

But Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke all made early exits as the cut fell at level par, McDowell (74) and Harrington (74) missing out by one shot, McIlroy (72) by two and Clarke (75) by six.

“There’s a few big Irish names have dropped out early unfortunately but hopefully I can give the crowd something to cheer about at the weekend,” said Lowry, who owns a house on the course.

“It was very, very tough out there. I watched quite a bit of the golf on TV this morning at my house and I was looking at the lads making birdies and then I stood on the range and it was a 30mph wind.

“I got off to a shaky start, two over after three holes, but dug in nicely and am proud of the way I handled myself. To finish birdie, birdie and shoot 70 is quite pleasing.

“There’s a lot of expectation but I suppose I’m more confident on my home course here, comfortable with the surroundings, and it’s an advantage for me this week I think.

“I’ll give it my best, that’s all I can do. I’m desperate to do well in this tournament. I’d love nothing more than to contend this weekend and after putting myself in a great position now I’m really looking forward to it.”

McIlroy was at least set to stay at Carton House and practice, but the world number two said he would not add either the French or Scottish Open to his schedule ahead of the Open Championship, instead honouring sponsor and family commitments and working on getting the right Nike driver.

“If I did not have those commitments I probably would, but as long as I play rounds and be competitive myself – play with one ball – it’s the same sort of thing,” McIlroy said. “My schedule has been light, but from the Open onwards I am playing seven events in nine or 10 weeks. I still have a lot of golf to play.

“It was a new driver in the bag this week but it’s still not 100% so I will be testing next week, but it’s definitely more swing than it is club. Two weeks is a lot of time to try and get something right and hopefully I will be ready for Muirfield.”

Former Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal, 47, was alongside Lowry, Oscar Floren, Joost Luiten and Ricardo Santos on seven under, with Scotland’s Scott Henry a shot further back after a course-record 64 in the last group out yesterday.