Shane Lowry sets target with course‑record 62 at Doonbeg

Shane Lowry delighted the home crowds on day two of the Amgen Irish Open as he produced a superb eight‑under‑par 62 to set a new course record at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland, Doonbeg and move to 11 under for the week.

The 39‑year‑old, who famously won this event as an amateur in 2009 and has played every edition since, followed up an opening 67 on Thursday by taking advantage of the easier conditions and setting the tone for the early groups on Friday.

Lowry made three birdies in a row from the third thanks to impressive approaches at three and five and a 22‑footer at the fourth, before adding three more at seven, eight and nine to make the turn in 30.

A crucial par save at the tenth kept his momentum intact, and he followed it with birdies at the 11th and 12th to reach eight under for his round.

A three‑putt bogey at the 13th was his only dropped shot of the day, but he responded with a 19‑footer for birdie at the 15th.

His five-iron to the last set up a final birdie chance, but while his effort left him just shy of a first DP World Tour 61, his 62 is still the lowest score recorded at Doonbeg.

“It was nice. It was real fun out there,” he said of his fourth ever 62 on the DP World Tour.

“I got off to a nice start and then I just kept going. I felt great out there. Just kept my foot on the gas and tried to keep hitting good shots and keep holing putts.

“I liked the little birdie I made on 15 after the mistake I made on 13. Also, I think my par putt on 10 was probably my highlight of the day. After getting pretty unlucky with my second shot, I think I did a great job making par there.”

The home fans were out in force around the par‑70 venue, and Lowry was quick to credit their support.

“The crowds were amazing out there today,” he said. “They support me along the way and it was nice to give them something to shout about."