Irish Open 2026: Home favourite Shane Lowry produced an exhibition of ball striking to seize complete control of the 2026 Amgen Irish Open, firing a course-record 8-under-par 62 in the second round at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg. The 2019 Open champion rolled back the years in front of passionate Irish galleries, surging to an eleven-under-par total to open up a commanding three-shot lead heading into the weekend.
The final three holes with Shane Lowry 🇮🇪#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/108FcaYuWQ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 11, 2026
Irish Open 2026: Blistering Front Nine Sets Up Course Record
After battling howling winds on Thursday to open with a respectable 3-under-par 67, Lowry took full advantage of calm and sunny conditions along the West Clare coastline on Friday morning. The 39-year-old caught fire immediately, draining putts from all distances to collect six birdies before the turn.
Lowry’s momentum barely slowed on the inward stretch as he added three further gains against just a solitary dropped shot on his card.
His breathtaking round of 62 eclipsed the previous course record of 63 set only hours earlier by England’s Richard Mansell. With nine birdies across 18 holes, the Offaly native had the home crowd roaring with every approach shot into the Doonbeg greens.
Irish Open 2026: Lowry Commands Three-Shot Cushion At Doonbeg
Lowry’s sublime Friday showing carried him to eleven under par through 36 holes, placing him in pole position to capture a second Irish Open crown.
He holds a three-stroke advantage over Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, who occupies the second spot at eight under par, while China’s Li Haotong remains within touching distance at seven under par.
Northern Ireland prospect Tom McKibbin also mounted a serious charge, signing for a second-round 67 to share fifth place at five under par.
Two-time Masters champion Jon Rahm, playing alongside the marquee groups, could only manage a 1-under 69, leaving the Spanish superstar nine shots adrift of Lowry’s relentless pace at the summit.
Irish Open 2026: Memories Of Baltray In 2009 Rekindled
The electric atmosphere around the dunes of Doonbeg drew immediate comparisons to Lowry’s historic breakthrough 17years ago, when he won the 2009 Irish Open at County Louth as an amateur.
With two rounds left to play and a beginning weather forecast for Saturday, Lowry will look to maintain his aggressive approach from the tee to keep the chasing pack at bay.
For the thousands of Irish golf fans lining the fairways, the prospect of seeing their national hero lift the trophy on home soil on Sunday has set up a mouth-watering weekend of action.
