Shane Lowry on the hunt for new caddie

Shane Lowry is searching for a new caddie to see him through the next stage of the season after announcing he and long-term bagman Dermot Byrne are taking a break.

The decision was revealed as the world number 90 crashed out of the Open following a second-round, two-over-par 73 at Carnoustie yesterday, which left him outside the cutline at five over par.

Lowry has had Byrne on his bag since 2009, but yesterday his duties were undertaken by coach Neil Manchip for the second round.

It is unclear how long the separation will continue, as Lowry embarks on a four-tournament run in North America, playing next week’s Canadian Open, the Barracuda Championship, the PGA Championship and the Wyndham.

Lowry, 31, declined a request to talk to media post-round, but a management company spokesman said: “Shane and Dermot have decided to take a break from working together for the upcoming schedule of tournaments in the US.

“We are currently exploring a number of options and a new caddie will be in place for the RBC Canadian Open next week.”

There was better news for fellow Irishman Paul Dunne, who will play the weekend despite a two-over, second-round 73, which left him at two over for the tournament, just enough to leave him on the right side of the halfway cut.

The Greystones golfer ranked 76th in the world at the start of the week, had two birdies and four bogeys in his round despite, like Lowry, getting the better side of the draw and avoiding much of the rain that fell throughout the morning. Yet, he rued not taking better advantage of the conditions, which had even changed considerably between his warm-up on the practice ground and his opening tee shot.

“I can still climb up over the weekend,” said Dunne. “Disappointing, really. I was in a great position to make a good run over the weekend and just didn’t do it. To have a chance now I need two outstanding weekend rounds.

“When I was warming up, we have shot-track on the range and I was hitting drives as well as I could and carrying them 250 [yards] and then you get out on the course and you’re deciding whether you can carry bunkers at 290, 300 with no wind.

“The conditions changed massively. Got easily the best side of the draw and to get that and be on the cut line is not very good really.”

Dunne is ranked in a tie for fourth for scrambling and he admitted that having started his second round fearful of missing the cut, that had played into his mind throughout the day.

“My head was a bit gone on 14. I missed 13 right, (the right miss) was anywhere but right. Fourteen, the same, hit it up the face of a pot bunker with an iron, hit it up the face on 15 as well, so I left myself a lot of work to do, the last three holes. Good saves 16, 17, just stress that wasn’t necessary, really.

“It was in the back of my mind all day. I knew two over would get in. My problem the last three weeks, I have known that. If there was no cut, I definitely would have played better all three Fridays. I just need to get that out of my head and play to do well.

“When it is in your head, it is a subconscious thing and you go to whatever score you are thinking of,” said Dunne, hoping to play a weekend of pressure-free golf.

“Just play and see what happens. I am not going to change anything. I am hitting a lot of good shots, I just need to free up and hopefully a few more putts drop in. There is a good score out there. I know there is. Whether I can do it or not is another thing.”