Shane Lowry rues bad start as Aussie Lucas Herbert leads at Mount Juliet

Shane Lowry on the 5th tee during day three of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet Estate golf course, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. Picture date: Saturday July 3, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story GOLF Irish. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.

Hopes of a DDF Irish Open challenge from the home contingent disappeared under leaden skies at Mount Juliet today.

Needing a low score to get into contention, the major trio of Rory McIlroy (73), Shane Lowry (74) and Graeme McDowell (70) failed to make any headway.