IT’S ALL LOOKING pretty rosy for Shane Lowry.
With two wins as a professional to his name (Lowry the Irish Open in 2009 as an amateur) the Offaly man is just one round away from a first tournament victory in more than three years.
After a blistering opening round of 62 in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, the 31-year-old has enjoyed his time in the desert and is on the cusp of kick-starting his season less than three weeks into the new year.
Lowry starts his final round with a three-shot lead over South African Richard Sterne and speaking after today’s round said he was savouring every minute of his current form.
“I played well,” he told reporters. “I felt very comfortable out there today and very happy with that. Very excited about tomorrow.
“Obviously I’m in a great position. It’s been a while since I’ve been up having a lead going into Sunday. I’ll enjoy it.
“Have a nice dinner tonight and give it my best tomorrow and see what happens.”
Friday’s round saw him pick up seven birdies and card just two bogeys in his penultimate round.
I just started laughing when I birdied 15.
“Yeah, look, my iron play has been good. I think if you go back to Race to Dubai, I was 6-under par for the par 3s that tournament, and it’s just been good. I managed to hole a few good putts, as well.
“Play the par 3s well and the par 5s as well, and you should shoot a decent score.”
Sterne led the chase on the Clara native with an eagle and a birdie on the back nine, but Lowry admitted his only focus was on himself.
“There’s actually only a few leaderboards out there, which is pretty nice.
“I got to, I don’t know what hole it was, but the 12th green, and I saw Richard Sterne was making a few.
I was just all about my own game and trying to make as many birdies as I can and when I got in trouble, trying to make pars. I thought I did that well today.”
Today’s 67 means he still has a considerable cushion heading into Saturday’s final round and the Irishman knows what’s ahead of him.
“We’re in a world-class field here this week so I know they are going to come out firing tomorrow.
So I need to stay aggressive and try to make as many birdies as I can and see where that leaves me on the 18th green.
“Obviously I need to go out and play my own game and stay aggressive and see what the lads behind me can do.
“I think, you know, it’s the same old golf clichés, one shot at a time and try to not get ahead of myself and just enjoy the day and enjoy being in the position I’m in.”
Ahead of the final weekend of European pool games, Murray Kinsella, Andy Dunne and Gavan Casey look at what each of the provinces can expect, and who impressed last weekend:
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We need a 10 who wont be involved with Ireland so it’s a good signing, he won’t shunt Madigan and covers if Madigan is away
Great signing. He’s a perfect foil for Madigan in many ways. Playing style is more about control than Madigan’s gunslinging, he’s a great kicker from hand and tee plus he’ll be the steady hand we need at 10 when Madser is called up to the Irish squad next year.
Hopefully we’ve a big Aussie outside back signing on the way too…
Who’s that?
Madigan just can’t catch a break
Jimmy Cowen gave him some shot in that video
Should we not wait and see how he performs?
Where’s the fun in that….? ;-)
He is average at best. Seen him play quite a bit when he played with the Hurricanes. Doesn’t have the bottle for top level rugby.
What a load of utter crap. Jimmy was actually just starting to play his best rugby before he left. He is like the other 10 that left by the name of Nick a sorry loss to our fair shores. You sir have no class
Thy need to spend money to shore up 4 & 5 – not another 10……
Well they signed McCarthy from Connacht and Ben Marshall looks like a promising young prospect in their academy.
Fair point – McCarthy decent operator & haven’t seen the other guy in action, but its when we have a Hines, Elsom or Thorn that things start to happen …. great if we can grow our own of that capability.
Hmm. I wouldn’t b as positive about this guy… Id put him in a similar bracket as steenson but he’s Irish. I guess the financial reasons had a hand in this signing…
lol, why all the red thumbs??? Did i offend the poor Leinster new guy?? Hope Im wrong but cant see this guy being any more than an average Rabo player……
He’s perfect, as he won’t stunt Madigan but can step in when needed.
I for one don’t want Leinster signing players who get in the way of home grown players but players who can do a squad job when the irfu get in the way
Steenson is Irish. Look him up.
ERM….I know, I said that….
No but he’s taking a NIQ place. My point is Steenson wouldn’t have and at 28, is unlikely to feature in green….
Np ;-)
Cain I have the greatest admiration for Munster Rugby and always hope they do well unless they are playing Leinster.
Cian sorry the auto correct got the better of me.
Every province needs stand-in players when Ireland duties call. Leinster have been fortunate in the likes of Contepomi and Nacewa and hopefully this new recruit will make his own impact. The Rabo is not a second rate completion as Munster is finding out. Hopefully they will make the top four? It’s no longer a given.
Should read competition
I don’t think we will 2 b honest…. All our eggs are in the Heineken Cup basket I think….