Shane Lowry sent the Irish flag to near the top of the leaderboard posting a closing birdie for a one under par total that was just reward for another determined display on day two of the US Open Championship.

Lowry is lying four shots adrift of the clubhouse lead, held by Masters Tournament champion Jordan Spieth of America, and well in the hunt to land his first Major title at Chambers Bay.

It will be the first occasion three U.S. Open appearances the Carton House attached Lowry will play all four rounds of the year’s traditional second Major.

The bearded Lowry would have finished closer to Spieth’s target were it not for a costly double bogey on the 14th hole, where he pulled his second shot and found a treacherous lie in the bunker.

But the two-time European Tour champion rallied impressively with a birdie at the tough finishing hole, which on the second day is playing as a 514-yard par four.

Bearded Shane Lowry to play all four rounds of the U.S. Open for a first time in his career. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

Lowry’s level par round moved him into a share of 16th place, albeit with the afternoon starters yet to complete their rounds.

He said: “It was one of those days that I’m quite happy with. It could have been a little bit better, because I didn’t take some really good chances and also got unlucky on the 14th, but I’m still in a great position for the weekend.

“The good thing for me is that I’m now feeling a lot more comfortable on the greens. I’m still not 100 per cent confident on them, but I’m liking what I’m doing and I’m liking the way I’m hitting my putts. So my putting is getting to where I want it to be, and you never know what might happen over the weekend.

“I’ve felt in control of myself over the past two days. It feels good to be here. I’ve kept in control of my emotions really well so far, and hopefully that remains over the next two days.”

* Thanks to www.golfbytourmiss.com