Esker Hills' Shane Lowry closed with a sensational 69 to grab third place in the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

The reigning Irish Close and West of Ireland champion, 21, was eight shots off the lead at halfway but moved up with a 72 in Sunday morning's third round.

He then grabbed the clubhouse lead on six over par 286 after carding three birdies and two bogeys in a one-under par final round 69.

But he eventually finished two shots behind winner Matthew Haines of England, who closed with a 70 to win by a shot on four-over par 284 from compatriot Dale Whitnell.

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney tied for 15th place on 13-over par 293 after a closing 74 as halfway leader Luke Goddard slid to tied 11th after rounds of 76 and 79.

Lytham Trophy, Royal Lytham and St Annes (Par 70)

284 Matthew Haines (Rochester and Cobham) 68 72 74 70

285 Dale Whitnell (Five Lakes) 70 72 73 70

286 Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) 72 73 72 69

287 Chris Wood (Long Ashton) 71 75 73 68; Maximilian Roehrig (Germany) 72 72 74 69.

289 Farren Keenan (Sunningdale) 73 71 74 71; Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) 71 70 74 74; Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen) 74 71 70 74

290 Eddie Pepperell (Drayton Park) 74 73 70 73

291 Paul O'Hara (Coluille Park) 69 77 72 73;
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293 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) 74 72 73 74.