Lowry's 66 shows low scores are gettable as Open field chases Scheffler

That’s good and bad news for most of the field as they go about chasing leader Scottie Scheffler who, at 14-under par, holds a four-shot lead on Haotong Li. Matt Fitzpatrick is on minus-9 with Rory McIlroy starting off at eight-under.

Sun, 20 Jul, 2025 - 13:19

Brendan O'Brien, Royal Portrush

Shane Lowry has brought a frustrating Open challenge to a spellbinding close by shooting a five-under round of 66 early on Sunday that actually earned him an unlikely clubhouse lead before the leaders take to the Dunluce course.

The 2019 champion on this very course, Lowry couldn’t get his game going with an opening one-under par 70 on Thursday and he was then hit for a controversial two-shot penalty after finishing his 18 holes on the Friday.

His Saturday round was played while struggling with a virus that had also affected his wife and daughters and it showed as the Irishman carded a three-over 74. But Sunday was better, six birdies and a single bogey leaving him at two-under for the tournament.

Lowry almost produced a fairytale finish with his chip third shot hitting the flag but failing to disappear into the cup. Not to be but the roar that greeted him as he approached the 18th green and left it was enormous.

The 18th shook with hope.

Shane Lowry almost chips in on the final hole. pic.twitter.com/hBqwI9G0tU
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025

His own new course record of 63 was a possibility when he produced his sixth birdie on the par-five 12th but he parred his way home from there. As has been the case most of this week, low scores are gettable at Portrush on the final day.

Six shots is an improbable difference for the 2014 champion and local hero to make up on the best player in the world right now. Scheffler has won his last nine tournaments when leading after 54 holes.

McIlroy produced plenty of early magic for an enormous and vociferous gallery on Saturday with three birdies from his first four holes, while Scheffler took some time to find his stride. Something similar will be needed on Sunday afternoon.