Shane Lowry hangs tough to set up another Open challenge at Royal Portrush

The Offaly man was satisfied with his day's work on Thursday. 

UP AND RUNNING: Shane Lowry after finishing his round. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

You can’t win an Open on a Thursday but you sure can lose one. Shane Lowry knows as much so the man who took home the Claret Jug from this Causeway Coast links in 2019 was happy with his day’s work on Thursday.

A one-under par 70, carded through the worst of the conditions, amounted to a serious effort from the Offaly man. It left him just inside the top 20 and three behind the leaders coming off the 18th hole after a round that threw up three birdies and two bogeys.