Lowry steps up at the last

Shane Lowry watches the flight of his three-iron in the second round of the Open at Muirfield. Picture Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieShane Lowry produced a sensational birdie at the last to make the weekend with a shot to spare and hinted: I may go on the attack.

The Clara man was teetering on the seven over par cut mark with the 18th to play but blasted a driver down the right, chased a 140-yard nine iron up to four feet and tapped in for a second successive 74 to eventualy make it by two shots.

Beaming after finishing on six over, Lowry said: “I was quite edgy towards the end of the round today, playing 17 and 18.

“But I am proud of myself, especially the tee shot and the second shot I hit on 18 and then to knock in that tricky little putt as well was nice.

“There is definitely a sense of relief because I really wanted to make the cut. Not that there was pressure on me but I still feel like I can do well this week.

“If you shoot any sort of score tomorrow you have, maybe not a chance of winning, but a chance of good finish.”

Lowry reckons level par could still win The Open and with the course now rock hard, he may go on the attack with his driver.

He said: “I bogeyed the 14th, 15th and 16th for the second day in a row - take those six shots out and I am right there.

“The play is nearly just to blast driver everywhere now because if you lay back and leave yourself eight or nine iron and you are doing well to hit the green.

“It is probably one of the toughest courses I have ever played. You might as well come in from 100 yards from the rough as 180 yards. I will have to see.”