Shane Lowry takes a four-shot lead into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Ireland in Doonbeg after carding a five-under 65 on Saturday. The 2019 Open winner one-putted every green on the back nine, holding off Denmark’s Jacob Olesen amidst high winds and a presidential visit.
Lowry’s Back-Nine Masterclass and Olesen’s Early Challenge
Shane Lowry delivered a stellar putting performance during the third round on Saturday, navigating tough Atlantic coastal conditions to post a five-under 65 at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg. The player reached 16-under 194 overall, establishing a four-stroke advantage over his nearest competitor heading into Sunday’s final round.
The cushion was hard-earned. Lowry had lost his initial three-shot overnight advantage early in the day when Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen fired an exceptional front-nine 31, fueled by an eagle-birdie finish to the turn that temporarily pulled him level with the leader. But Olesen stalled on the inward half, failing to record another birdie and closing with a bogey on the 18th for a 66.
“I feel like I put up some good chances and took advantage of a lot of them,” Skov Olesen said of his front-nine 31. “And the back nine was just the complete opposite, I couldn’t take advantage of anything. And nothing really worked.”
Jacob Skov Olesen
While Olesen struggled down the stretch, Lowry seized control by mastering the greens. He converted a five-foot birdie putt on the 10th and a crucial 10-foot par save on the 11th, ultimately one-putting every green on the back nine—comprising three birdies and six pars—before securing a final par via a pitch from left of the 18th green to four feet.
“I’m normally the one watching other people do it, so why not me sometimes? I’m seeing my lines well and starting the ball where I want and they’re going in. And hopefully that stays that way for another 24 hours.”
Shane Lowry
A Presidential Arrival at Doonbeg
The tournament played out against an unusually heavy security and political backdrop. United States President Donald Trump arrived at the venue after meetings in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Trump, who purchased the Doonbeg property in 2014, became the first U.S. president to attend a DP World Tour event, having previously visited tournaments on courses he owns during PGA Tour and LIV Golf stops earlier in the season.
Chasing History and Ending a Title Drought
Entering Sunday’s action, Lowry stands 18 holes away from capturing his second national open title, having famously won the tournament as an amateur back in 2009 at Baltray. A victory would also snap a four-year drought without an individual tournament win, his last solo triumph coming at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2022.
Behind the leaders, Joaquin Niemann shot a 66 to sit alone in third place at nine-under par, seven strokes back. Meanwhile, defending champion Rory McIlroy endured a disastrous start to his weekend campaign. McIlroy attempted an aggressive strategy off the tee that resulted in two tee shots hit out of play, leading to double bogeys before he reached the seventh tee and a round of 74 that left him 18 shots adrift.
Lowry is scheduled to tee off alongside Olesen in the final twosome at 2:05 PM local time.
Worth a look
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