Lowry Relishing Hopeful Final DP World Round Alongside Fellow Ryder Cup Team-Mate McIlroy

2 years ago by Comments Off on Lowry Relishing Hopeful Final DP World Round Alongside Fellow Ryder Cup Team-Mate McIlroy

,, by Fatiha Betscher in Dubai

Shane Lowry says he’s relishing a hopeful Sunday back-nine showdown with Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy after overhauling McIlroy to force his way to a share of the lead through two rounds of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

After Lowry admitted ahead of the Dubai event he was running on the smell of an oily rag, the Irishman has a real spring in his step as evident by a sizzling second round 65 for a share of the lead at 10-under par on the Earth course at Jumeirah Estates.

Lowry sits atop of the board alongside American John Catlin, also with a 65 and England’s Sam Horsfield who signed for a 66.

McIlroy went from one in front with a hole to play to horribly doubled the last when he found a fairway bunker up the left at the 18th but only managed to move his ball 99-yards, leaving him a 211-yard shot to the flag only for his ball to hit the front edge of the green but then roll back into the water hazard that splits the entire last hole.

“I hit a good third shot and felt like I didn’t deserve to be in the water,” said McIlroy.

“And it was a tricky up-and-down from there. Yeah, it wasn’t the greatest way to finish and I was just sort of holding it together most of the day. I was a little scrappier than it was yesterday but felt like I was doing okay.  And yeah, it would have been nice to finish off a bit better but still right in the golf tournament”.

McIlroy’s 70 sees him sharing fourth place at nine-under par with Swede Alexander Bjork who signed for a 67.

Lowry’s round brought back memories of his equally stunning closing day 63 in the 2017 event that saw the Clara golfer finish a shot adrift of Jon Rahm.

“It was probably the easiest 65 I have shot”, he said.  “I only missed one green at the 10th and that was my own fault and other than that it was pretty solid golf.  I am happy with my performance and I am looking forward to the weekend.

“I have been fortunate enough to shoot some good, low scores around tougher golf courses but in these hot and still conditions, there are a lot of birdies out there, though in saying that you do have to play well.

“So, a 65 is pretty good out there but like I said I have shot lower than 65, and in big tournaments, but this 65 today is just nice as it’s put me in a good position going into the weekend and hopefully I can contend.

“As well, I feel as though I’ve got a lot more spring in my step than at the start of the week.  It’s true I came here from Houston not feeling the best as I was a bit mentally and physically drained after the year but I needed to give myself something to fight for this weekend and I’ve done that today.

“It would be interesting if that fight would come Sunday afternoon with Rory, though you never know so we’ll just have to wait and see (smiling)”.

Lowry managed five birdies but capped his round with an eagle ‘3’ at the par-5 14th that he sandwiched between birdies at 13 and 15 to be four-under for the trio of holes.

There were plenty of Irish accents following Lowry including his mother and father and with mum, Bridget attending her first golf tournament since this year’s Irish Open though it’s her first overseas event since attending the 2019 DP Tour Championship.

“It’s great to have both my mum and dad here, and good for mum to get out for a bit of sunshine on her back”, said Lowry.

“And they weren’t alone as there were a Lot of Irish out there following so maybe there’ll be a good few taking the day off work on Sunday and cheer us on”.

 



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