Lowry sets halfway target at Royal Troon Open

Shane Lowry birdied nan past spread to group nan clubhouse target astatine 7 nether connected an progressively blustery 2nd time of nan Open Championship astatine Royal Troon.

The Irishman rolled successful a 20-footer arsenic he followed his opening 66 pinch a two-under 69 connected nan Ayrshire coast.

World number 1 Scottie Scheffler is among his closest challengers aft he deed a 70 to subordinate chap American Billy Horschel and South African Dean Burmester connected 2 under.

Tiger Woods erstwhile again drew nan biggest pursuing of nan greeting starters and was afforded a immense ovation connected nan 18th arsenic he closed pinch a par that near him astatine 14 over.

There has been overmuch speculation regarding nan three-time Open champion's future, fixed his deficiency of competitiveness aft missing nan trim astatine nan past 3 majors, arsenic he continues to retrieve from injuries sustained successful a 2021 car crash.

However, erstwhile asked if he would beryllium astatine Portrush for adjacent year's Championship, nan 48-year-old replied: "Definitely."

Woods' playing partners Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will some beryllium present for nan weekend. They are some astatine 1 nether though Cantlay's 68 was 4 shots amended than his bully friend could manage.

England's Dan Brown, nan astonishment overnight leader connected six under, is retired connected nan people pinch nan later starters, on pinch nan likes of Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, England's Justin Rose and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

The 2019 champion birdied nan first, 4th and eighth holes successful comparatively benign conditions arsenic he reached 7 nether astatine nan turn. But each his diligent activity threatened to unravel connected nan feared Railway.

The par-four 11th has been nan toughest spread astatine nan past 3 Troon Opens and Lowry recovered problem disconnected nan tee pinch a somewhat bad boy thrust into rough. From location he deed what erstwhile Solheim Cup skipper Catriona Matthew called an "inexplicable hook" consecutive crossed nan fairway and heavy into a gorse bush.

He yet stalked disconnected nan greenish pinch a double-bogey six and backmost wherever he started nan day.

However, he steadied himself pinch 4 consecutive pars earlier closing pinch birdies connected nan 16th and 18th holes to group a target that whitethorn beryllium reliable to drawback fixed nan 30mph winds that are blowing crossed nan course.

More to follow.