Lowry nine back at Torrey Pines

Shane Lowry

Shane Lowry missed just one putt inside 10 feet but still had to settle for a level par 72 in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Tied 67th starting the day, the Clara man ended it in a share of 58th, nine strokes behind Patrick Rodgers (67) and defending champion Brandt Snedeker on level par.

Rusty after his nine-week winter break, Lowry will rue four three-putts and a four-putt over the first three days.

Four birdies and four bogeys speak to his lack of competitive golf but there were still flashes of brilliance, such as his birdie from 22 feet at the 11th, his second hole.

Pulled drives at the 13th and 17th cost him shots but his putter was generally his friend.

At the 18th, he never saw the fairway but still rolled in a 14 footer for a birdie to turn in level par and then mixed the good with the bad in an identical homeward nine.

After a three-putt bogey at the second, where he charged his 40-foot birdie putt 11 feet past the hole, he made a two from 13 feet at the third to get back to level.

Having two-putted the par-five sixth for birdie, he then missed his only short putt of the day at the seventh — a four-footer for par. But despite all the mistakes, he's still one good decent closing round away from having a profitable week.