Updated 17:25
RORY MCILROY IS two shots clear of Sergio Garcia with five holes to play of the Open Championship.
Shane Lowry proved to those chasing McIlroy that low-scoring is possible on the final round of The Open at Hoylake. The county Offaly golfer (-10) has a share of sixth place after seven birdies in a mistake free final round.
The same cannot be said for McIlroy (-16) who, despite opening with a birdie, has seen his lead halved to three after bogeys at hole five and six. He birdied nine and 10 to settle his nerves but dropped another shot on 13 after a wayward drive off the tee.
Sergio Garcia (-14) is McIlroy’s closest challenger with three birdies in his opening seven holes while while Rickie Fowler is in third spot on -12.
Lowry’s was not the only low-scoring performance of the day as England’s Chris Wood also shot a 65 to move to -5 for the tournament.
Thomas Bjorn (-4), Brendon Todd (-1) and Koumie Oda (-1) were among a host of golfers to make the most of near perfect conditions at Royal Liverpool to shoot five under par 67s while US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson shot a four under 68, not bad for a 64-year old.
Graeme McDowell (-8) is three under for his final round after 16 while Darren Clarke is down to -3 through 16 holes.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer (+8), however, had a day to forget with a seven over par final round.
– First published at 14:48 (additional reporting by Patrick McCarry)
Cmon rory, hope he holds on. If he does get caught though how could anyone begrudge sergio a major. Especially the british open.
Great round of golf by shane lowry today, 65 in the final round in a major is world class.
His “f— it”, shot on camera on the 18th green was priceless
Great round Shane. Well done.Come on Rory. Irish Golfers simply the best :-)
He doesn’t consider himself Irish though?
Thumbs down from the bandwagon jumpers!
Amazing to think that if he had not blown the masters he’d have had a career slam at only 25
Hold on Rory
Stand up for the Ulster man! Brilliant stuff from Rory!
That sham of a flag which he will wrap himself in later.
What ? The Offaly flag?
Go home Mark Kelly you’re drunk.
Rory handing off that fat kid, lolololol.
Three Irish men in the top 10
Heckler has been kicked out for giving McIlroy hassle – wonder if it was Olympic related
C’mon fowler and if you can’t win and looking to big an ask come on Garcia
Don’t like him at all but I suppose it is good for a British person to win the British Open
He’s British by choice though. His caddie is Irish so a good day for us too.
Kinda anyway. Don’t want to go stealing British athletes. They do that to us often enough!
Get in the hole!
Doesn’t look like Lowry’s going to win.. does it?
He has plenty of time to practice seeing as he’s not are signing autographs for children now. Just push them out of the way and get your scorescard in eh For?