Shane Lowry carded an 8-under 62 to set a course record at Trump International Ireland, building a three-shot lead over the chasing pack at the halfway point of the Amgen Irish Open, according to the Associated Press. Lowry’s bogey-free Friday charge put him at 11-under par overall, three strokes clear of nearest challengers Haotong Li, Jakob Skov Olesen, and Niklas Norgaard, as reported by RTÉ.
Shane Lowry Breaks Course Record in County Clare
Lowry navigated the Doonbeg links along the Atlantic Coast with precision, capitalizing on favorable weather conditions after a grueling wind-swept opening round that required six hours to complete. According to the Associated Press, Lowry made birdie on half of his holes and hit his irons so closely that only three conversions came from outside 10 feet. “I felt like I was in control out there,” Lowry said, as quoted by the Associated Press. “It was good fun.”
The 39-year-old Irishman started his second round strongly at the third hole, stringing together three consecutive birdies, including a 22-foot conversion at the par-5 fourth, according to RTÉ. Controlled iron play helped him complete the front nine in 30 strokes to hold a three-stroke cushion. While a three-putt bogey on the 13th momentarily stalled his momentum, Lowry maintained control to post the historic 62.
Chasing Pack and Weather Contrasts in Doonbeg
China’s Haotong Li enjoyed the calmer conditions after struggling through Thursday’s fierce winds, firing a 63 that featured an eagle at the fifth hole, according to RTÉ. Li remarked that Thursday’s round felt so difficult that even 3-foot par putts seemed to shake in the gales. Joining Li at 8-under par are Danish golfers Jakob Skov Olesen and Niklas Norgaard, per RTÉ reporting.
Tom McKibbin moved to 5-under par after carding a 67, six shots adrift of Lowry, telling RTÉ that it was nice to take advantage of tricky pins early on. Meanwhile, 18-hole leader Joaquin Niemann shot a 70 to sit six shots back, American Patrick Reed posted a 68 to remain seven strokes behind, and Jon Rahm carded a 67 to reach 3-under 137, according to the Associated Press.
Rory McIlroy Struggles on the Greens
Defending champion Rory McIlroy found himself nine shots off the pace after carding back-to-back rounds of 69, hampered by persistent struggles reading the greens, according to both the Associated Press and RTÉ. Despite hitting the ball well from tee to green—highlighted by a stellar eagle at the par-5 eighth where his second shot from 268 yards landed stone dead—McIlroy stumbled on the closing holes, three-putting from 4 feet on the 18th for bogey, according to the Associated Press and RTÉ.
“It’s hard whenever you struggle to read them,” McIlroy told the Associated Press regarding the Doonbeg putting surfaces. He added to RTÉ Sport that harsher weather expected over the weekend could act as a leveler if he manages to post an early score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Amgen Irish Open after the second round?
Shane Lowry leads the tournament at 11-under par after setting a course record with a second-round 62 at Trump International Ireland, according to RTÉ and the Associated Press.
What was Shane Lowry’s winning margin at the halfway mark?
Lowry holds a three-shot lead over closest challengers Haotong Li, Jakob Skov Olesen, and Niklas Norgaard, who sit at 8-under par, according to RTÉ.
Where is the 2026 Amgen Irish Open being held?
The tournament is taking place at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland.
How did defending champion Rory McIlroy perform?
Rory McIlroy shot consecutive rounds of 69 to sit at 2-under par, nine strokes behind the leader, after struggling to read the greens, according to the Associated Press and RTÉ.
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