Shane Lowry Sets Course Record at Irish Open with 62

Shane Lowry set a new course record with an 8-under 62 at Trump International Ireland during the Irish Open, establishing a three-shot lead on Friday.

Lowry's performance included birdies on half of the holes, with only three birdies coming from outside 10 feet. He finished the day at 11-under 129, ahead of Haotong Li, who shot 63, and Danish players Jacob Skov Olesen and Niklas Norgaard, both with scores of 64.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled with his putting, finishing with a round of 69 and nine shots behind Lowry. Joaquin Niemann, the overnight leader, ended with a 70, leaving him six shots off the pace. Lowry, who previously won the Irish Open in 2009 as an amateur, expressed confidence in his ability to perform well in windy conditions.