Content Lowry eyes weekend surge 

BATTLING THE ELEMENTS: Shane Lowry of Ireland plays his shot from the 12th tee. Pic:  Andrew Redington, Getty Images

Through a nearly constant rain on Friday morning, Shane Lowry slogged his way up the PGA Championship leaderboard with a second consecutive 69 at Valhalla Golf Club, leaving him 4-under and tied for 16th when he walked off the course.

It was not the low round he was hoping for on a soft golf course, leaving him already seven behind clubhouse leader Collin Morikawa with an afternoon wave poised to attack the softened course without the burden of rain that stopped falling about the time Lowry finished.