While Rory McIlroy was supposed to be the great hope for Ireland this week at The Open, it was another Irishman who stepped up to carry the baton.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1152655197585514497
Shane Lowry has not only taken over The Open, but he is putting on a clinic. Through 54 holes, Lowry holds a four-stroke lead over Englishman Tommy Fleetwood. Those two are followed by J.B. Holmes at 10-under and Brooks Koepka at nine-under.
Koepka appeared to be spot on with his irons, but he struggled on the greens. Koepka hit nearly 78% of greens in regulation but couldn’t make a putt inside two feet. He averaged 1.61 putts and in order to keep pace with Lowry, he’ll have to do better than that.
Lowry’s overall score of 197, is a 54-hole record low for The Open and ties the second lowest 54-hole record in major championship history.
Lowry: “That’s the most incredible day I’ve ever had on the golf course.”
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) July 20, 2019
Lowry has been in this position before.
In 2016, Lowry held the 54-hole lead in the U.S. Open at Oakmont. When he finished that Saturday, Dustin Johnson was three-strokes back at three-under.
That Sunday in 2016, was a round that Lowry would probably rather forget. He made seven bogies and one birdie to shoot 76 and finish three strokes behind DJ at T2.
Absolute scenes…and it's only Saturday #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/Uu2DXmFPyG
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2019
Tee Times
While The Open is a place that weather usually comes into play, the forecast for the leaders tomorrow is not really what anyone wants to see.
https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/1152636675031490560
Forecast for Sunday includes: "Outbreaks of heavy rain likely (80%) after 1600.
Wind: 15-20mph gusts 30-35mph. 20% risk of 40mph gusts after 1600" #TheOpen— Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) July 20, 2019
I’m sure there are plenty who will disagree with me and say that these guys should be out there playing in 40 mph gusts and rain, I just don’t care to watch that. I’d rather see these guys play in 20-30 mph winds and rain and be able to find their ball.
